Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr. Hong Lian said that China hoped there would be no more incidents of stray bombs falling on Chinese territory and Myanmar could achieve peace in the country after the new government assumes office.
“China is the country which wants most to see peace in Myanmar so that there will be no more stray bombs falling on our territory,” he told reporters, referring to the the war that broke out between the Myanmar Army and Kokang forces last year.
He said these words at a meeting with reporters at his residence on March 4.
He said China was practicing an “open door policy,” one in which no bombs from other countries fell on Chinese territory, but Myanmar had proved to be the exception.
“The bombs from Paukphaw (friendly) country of Myanmar fell on our territory. We would have retaliated if the bombs were from other countries,” he added.
“We welcome the NLD (National League for Democracy) government if they will achieve peace in the country and avoid such incidents happening again. It is important for Myanmar to have reconciliation with the Myanmar ethnic armed forces,” he said.
“We cannot say which one is the most important for Myanmar at present and which work should be done as the most important. The NLD said that they would push to achieve peace in the country. There will be no development unless there is peace,” he said.
The Chinese Ambassador stressed that his country wanted to maintain the current friendly relations between two countries.
When he was asked by a reporter who he would like to see as the new president in Myanmar, he replied: “This must be decided by the Myanmar people.”
The Myanmar parliament will shortly be going through the process of nominating and electing a new president. At present, the NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi is blocked from the presidency by Article 59(f) of the military-written 2008 Constitution that bars anybody who has family members who are foreigners.