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Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said here Thursday that the consensus and agreements China reached with Myanmar during his visit marked a step forward in the development of relations between the two countries.

Meeting with Senior General Than Shwe, chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, the premier said China and Myanmar, linked by waters and mountains, have enjoyed traditional friendship since they forged diplomatic ties 60 years ago.

Myanmar was among the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China and the two countries jointly advocated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, he added.

Thanks to their joint efforts, relations between China and Myanmar have progressed steadily, and stood up to all tests and brought tangible benefits to the two peoples, Wen said.

During their meeting, the Chinese premier also conveyed best regards from Chinese President Hu Jintao to Than Shwe.

On his meeting with Myanmar Prime Minister U Thein Sein, Wen said they reached extensive consensus on further advancing bilateral ties, enhancing cooperation in various fields and jointly safeguarding peace and stability in border areas between two countries.

Besides, the two sides signed a number of agreements, signaling that bilateral ties have taken another step forward, he added.

China values friendly and good-neighborly relations with Myanmar from a strategic perspective, he said.

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties, China would like to join hands with Myanmar to lift bilateral ties to a new level, so as to benefit the two peoples and promote peace, stability and development in the region, he said.

On behalf of the Myanmar government and people, Than Shwe expressed warm welcome to Wen’s visit and asked Wen to extend his regards to President Hu.

He said Myanmar and China are good neighbors, and that Wen’s visit to Myanmar on the occasion of 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties shows that the Chinese government and people attach great importance to their ties with Myanmar.

He said he believed the visit will give great impetus to bilateral good-neighborly cooperation and help ensure new progress in this regard.

Myanmar is willing to maintain high-level contacts with China, and carry out consultations at various levels to enhance mutual understanding and trust and boost mutually beneficial cooperation so that the two peoples will keep on friendly terms for all generations.

Premier Wen arrived in Yangon on Wednesday afternoon, the first visit to Myanmar by a Chinese premier in 16 years.

Myanmar is Wen’s last leg of his four-nation Asia tour, which has taken him to South Korea, Japan and Mongolia.