President U Thein Sein met with State Councillor and Secretary General of China’s State Council Mr. Yang Jing, at the Presidential Palace on Monday, 11 May 2015.
Discussions centred on investment in industrial zones and the 21st Great Silk Waterway and the Great Silk Road. Myanmar has a possible link with the two because there are coastlines in Myanmar and ports such as Thilawa and Kyaukphyu have the potential to link up with the Great Road. At a later press conference, U Ye Htut, Minister for Information also announced that China was interested in investment in the Dawei deep-sea port and Thilawa Industrial Zone.
Asked if they discussed the Kokang conflict, the minister said that there was no discussion on the matter. However, it was important that discussions take place not only between governments but also between the armies of the two countries.The foreign ministries from both Myanmar and China will discuss compensation for those killed in Chinese territory.
During the press conference when asked if farmers would be given money from a $300 million Chinese loan, U Ye Htut responded: “The parliament has approved $300 million loan from China, the Chinese Government was reviewing the legal process for that and they could issue the loan soon.”