China and Myanmar today agreed to find a solution for the stalled USD 3.6 billion hydroelectric dam as Beijing rolled out the red carpet for Myanmar's iconic leader Aung San Suu Kyi giving her a head of the government welcome reserved for Prime Ministers of foreign countries.
The agreement on Myitsone Dam project came during talks between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, who started a five-day official visit to China yesterday.
As 71-year-old Suu Kyi kicked off her official visit, the first after her government took over power following two decades of struggle against the Beijing backed military regime, she was accorded head of the government welcome by Premier Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of People.
Both Li and Suu Kyi inspected the guard of honour before settling for talks.
Explaining the high level protocol to Suu Kyi, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Lu Kang said "as is known to all, State Counsellor is ranked second only to the President among all the posts in the state organs of Myanmar".
Officials said it was symbolic in recognition of Suu Kyi status as highest ranking political leader of Myanmar even through her designation is the State Councillor and Foreign Minister.
Though herNational League for Democracy (NLD) party swept the polls with massive majority, the Nobel Laureate could not take over as President due to constitutional constrains imposed by the previous military regime.
After extending a grand welcome, Li held talks with her during which the two sides agreed to find a proper solution for thehydropower dam project which was stalled since 2011 over public protests.
China reportedly paid 60 per cent of the project.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters after the talks that, Myanmar's new government has decided to set up an investigation committee to find a solution that is in both countries' interests regarding the Myitsone Dam issue, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Opponents of the dam say the reservoir created by the Myitsone dam would create massive flooding on the Irrawaddy River, endangering ecologically sensitive areas and displacing thousands of people.
There was also criticism over China taking 90 per cent of the dam's power, while nearly 70 per cent of Myanmar has no access to electricity, according to the World Bank report.
Welcoming her, Li said China hopes the two sides could press ahead with the major cooperation projects, including a gas pipe line and the Myistone dam.
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After the meeting of Suu Kyi and Li several agreements were signed, including one involving a bridge project in Myanmar and construction of two hospitals, state-run CCTV reported.
Chinese media regards her visit as a diplomatic victory as she is visiting Beijing before visiting US or Europe which backed her during her prolonged campaign against rule by Beijing backed military junta.
"It will be the first visit to China by a leader of Myanmar following the establishment of its new government, and thus is of great significance to promoting China-Myanmar comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in the new era", Lu said.
"It is believed that the visit will help enhance strategic communication, deepen pragmatic cooperation, increase amity among the people, further advance the bilateral relationship and deliver more benefits to people from both sides," he said.
This will be Suu Kyi's second trip to China. She met with Xi the first time through a party-to-party channel in June 2015 before Myanmar's general election in November.
Suu Kyi's China visit also comes two weeks before the 21st Century Panglong Conference, a peace conference involving the Myanmar government, the military and ethnic armed groups.
China's support is seen as vital in resolving Myanmar's decade-long ethnic conflicts, state-run Global Times reported.
China-Myanmar share long volatile borders and Beijing has deployed military at the border last year after five people were killed several others wounded in firing from a Myanmar jet reportedly while pursing Kokoang rebels rebels.
In a commentary, state-run Xinhua news agency said Suu Kyi's visit comes roughly one week after Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw decided to form a new commission for reviewing all proposed hydropower projects on the Irrawaddy River, including the Myitsone Dam, which is jointly funded by China and Myanmar.
