Burmese state media say the country's prime minister will attend a meeting in China next week commemorating relations between China and Southeast Asian nations.
The New Light of Myanmar says the Chinese government invited General Soe Win to the meeting in Nanning. The newspaper reports today that the gathering marks the 15th anniversary of relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN.
Burma is one of 10 countries that belong to ASEAN. The other members have complained that Burma's military junta is too slow to enact democratic reforms and fails to uphold human rights.
China is Burma's closest ally. Trade between the countries has helped keep the Burmese economy afloat, despite Western economic sanctions and increasing international isolation.
The New Light of Myanmar also reports today that China's visiting army chief of staff General Liang Guanglie and his delegation concluded a three-day goodwill visit to the country on Wednesday.
Information for this report is provided by AFP.
