A longstanding friendly relations and long history of exchange of visits exist between Myanmar and China since the era of Song Dynasty in China and Pyu Dynasty in Myanmar. Sharing 2000 kilometers (1300 miles) of common border between Myanmar and China co-exist peacefully for centuries.
Myanmar was one of the first countries to recognize the People's Republic of China on 1 October 1949 when the People's Republic was proclaimed. Myanmar sent her Ambassador to China in June 1950 and China reciprocated in September 1950.
The relations between the two countries have been characterized by goodwill, co-operation and mutual accommodation. Following the visit of Premier Zhou Enlai to Myanmar in 1954, Myanmar and China issued a Joint Declaration stating the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence as the guiding principles for relationship between the two countries. In this spirit of understanding and friendship, a settlement of the longstanding and difficult question of border demarcation was reached and in Myanmar-China border agreement was signed in 1960.
A significant impetus and factor in the development of the relations between the two countries was the frequent exchanges of visits between the top leaders of the two countries. Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai visited Myanmar nine times during his lifetime. Likewise, the former Prime Minister President U Ne Win has visited China twelve times.
At the invitation of premier Zhou Enlai, Chairman of the Revolutionary Council of Myanmar paid a visit to China in August 1971, the first head of state to visit China after the Cultural revolution. This visit marked the rekindling of the spirit of "Paukphaw" friendship between the two countries. Subsequently, there was a gradual but consistent development of normal relations between the two countries.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the good-neighborly friendship and cooperation between China and Myanmar have been developing smoothly. Especially since the beginning of the new century, the leaders of the two sides have maintained close contact and friendly cooperation in political, economic, cultural, scientific and technology areas. The long-standing traditional Paukphaw friendship between the two peoples has been growing from strength to strength.
His Excellency Mr. Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference paid a visit to Myanmar after the present new government of Myanmar was formed in March 2011.
After the emergence of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, at the invitation of H.E. Mr. Hu Jintao, President of the People's Republic of China, H.E. U Thein Sein, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar paid a goodwill visit to the People's Republic of China from 26 to 28 May 2011. During the visit, the two leaders announced the establishment of Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative partnership relations between two countries, this sort of relations if the highest level of bilateral relations which does not exist among others except Myanmar and China. As holding of ASEAN Chairmanship, U Thein Sein, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar attended the APEC Summit Meeting in Beijing on 8th November 2014.
Premier Li Keqiang attended the 17th ASEAN + 3 Summit meeting in Nay Pyi Taw on 13-11-2014 and then make an official visit for one day for bilateral talks with President U Thein Sein, on 14-11-2014 in Nay Pyi Taw.
