Aung San Suu Kyi makes first China visit

World Today

Myanmar’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, right, receives flowers from a supporters of her National League for Democracy Party upon her arrival at Yangon International Airport to depart for China, Wednesday, June 10, 2015, in Yangon, Myanmar. Noble peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is making her first official visit to China from June 10 to 14 with the aim of promoting friendly relations and better understanding between the two neighboring countries, according to her party spokesman. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win)

The leader of Myanmar’s National League for Democracy (NLD) Aung San Suu Kyi left on Wednesday for her first visit to China aimed at enhancing mutual understanding and promoting cooperation and friendly relations between the two neighbors.

According to the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Suu Kyi, chairperson of the NLD, will be in China for five days until the weekend. She will meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, NLD spokesman Han Tha Myint said.

“This is an important party-to-party exchange for the CPC. State and Party leaders will meet with the delegation,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said a press briefing in Beijing, stressing that party-to-party exchange is “an important component” of China-Myanmar relations and China has maintained long-term friendly exchanges with all parties in Myanmar, including the NLD.

Released from the house arrest on Nov 13, 2010, Suu Kyi resumed her political career becoming a parliamentarian by winning a by-election in April 2012.

She became a parliament member to the House of Representatives and Chairperson of the House’s Committee for Rule of Law and Tranquility.

Her NLD party, established in September 1988 after the previous military’s take-over of the state power, regained legal party registration on Jan 5, 2012, after the country’s 2010 general election.

Report compiled with information from Xinhua and Associated Press.