Myanmar expects the China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Expo to be an “unparalleled platform” to expand economic and trade cooperation between China and ASEAN member countries, the Myanmar vice- president, U Nyan Tun, said on Tuesday.

“We consider the expo a significant event for economic and trade cooperation between the ASEAN and China. It is a platform to purchase products with unique country flavors and comparative edges," he said.

The trade volume between China and Myanmar reached $7.12 billion in 2013. China remains the largest investor in the country with an amount of $14.2 billion, which is nearly 40 percent of the country’s total foreign investment, according to the vice-president.

Major investment areas include oil and gas sectors, hydropower projects and the mining sector.

“The amount is relatively low compared to China’s trade with other ASEAN countries. So both countries need to further promote bilateral trade and investment,” he said.

Nyan Tun said that Myanmar supports the initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping to build the new Maritime Silk Road, which requires cooperation between China and ASEAN countries.

"The current cooperation between China and ASEAN countries is one advantage we need to seize to materialize the aims of the Maritime Silk Road," he said.

"Countries need to explore ways and means to narrow down their differences to overcome challenges such as regional disputes," he added.

Edited by Michael Thai