China is deeply concerned over the Myanmar situation and hopes related parties will strengthen dialogue to promote national reconciliation, Premier Wen Jiabao said yesterday in a meeting with Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein in Singapore.
The two leaders are in the city state to attend the annual summits of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and East Asia.
"China maintains that the future of Myanmar should be determined by its people, and the international community should provide constructive assistance to the country," Wen said.
China will continue to support the mediation efforts by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his special advisor Ibrahim Gambari, he added.
"We are willing to go along with the international community to continue to play a positive role in properly resolving the Myanmar issue."
Thein Sein assured Wen that the situation in his country was becoming stable.
He expressed gratitude for China's positive role in the resolution of the Myanmar issue, and said his government would continue to maintain contact and actively cooperate with the UN secretary-general and his special advisor on mediation efforts.
Last Friday, Deputy Foreign Minister Wang Yi wound up a three-day visit to Myanmar during which he met the country's top leader, Senior-General Than Shwe.
The Myanmar side briefed Wang on the domestic situation and reaffirmed that they would take positive and pragmatic measures to accelerate the democratic process.
At the same time, they assured the Chinese envoy they would continue to maintain stability, economic development, advancement of democracy and the improvement of people's livelihood.
It is believed that ASEAN leaders will discuss the Myanmar issue during the annual summits today, although the issue was not on the agenda of the high-level meetings. Myanmar is a member of the regional organization.
Some ASEAN members have rejected calls to slap sanctions on Myanmar despite mounting pressure from Western nations.
"Economic sanctions are not good (they) will lead to disaster for the civilian population. They are counter-productive," said Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
ASEAN Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong also rejected a US Senate resolution calling for Myanmar’s suspension from the group, saying the region would make its own decisions and that confrontation was not the answer.
Questions:
1. Which two summits are being held in Singapore today and tomorrow?
2. What did Myanmar officials say to Deputy Foreign Minister Wang Yi?
3. Why does Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen say it is not a good idea to slap sanctions on Myanmar?
Answers:
1.The two summits are the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and East Asia.
2.They would continue to maintain stability, economic development, advancement of democracy and the improvement of people's livelihood.
3.He believes they will lead to disaster for the civilian population and that they are counter-productive.
（英语点津 Celene 编辑）
About the broadcaster:
Bernice Chan is a foreign expert at China Daily Website. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Bernice has written for newspapers and magazines in Hong Kong and most recently worked as a broadcaster for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, producing current affairs shows and documentaries.
