Editor's Note:

Myanmar is counting down to the general elections on Sunday. Currently, the most competitive parties are the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD). The chairman of the USDP is U Thein Sein who is also president of Myanmar, and the leader of the NLD is Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Prize winner. As a friendly neighbor of Myanmar, how does China view the country's historical elections? What influence will the elections have on bilateral ties? Global Times (GT) reporter Xing Xiaojing interviewed Geng Zhiyuan (Geng), chairman of the China-Myanmar Friendship Association (CMFA), on these issues.

GT: What activities has your association been conducting in Myanmar recently?

Geng: Between October 19 and 24, we went to four villages in Myanmar and delivered disaster relief materials to local residents. After Myanmar faced the severest flood in decades in July, we, together with some other Chinese organizations, made great efforts in relief work. Last year when some mountaineering members were missing, the Chinese rescue team was the first foreign team that arrived in Myanmar. When disasters occurred in China, the Myanmese side also lent a helping hand.

GT: Previous elections in Myanmar have born enormous criticism. There are also worries about the fairness and transparency of the upcoming elections. What's your view?

Geng: The general elections are important for the livelihoods of Myanmese people. The whole world is watching. Everyone hopes this will be an open, fair and just election, and the winner can lead the country to development and prosperity.

GT: In mid-October, the Myanmese government and eight ethnic militias signed a cease-fire agreement. How do you see this agreement?

Geng: Myanmar has a lot of ethnic groups and we hope to see ethnic reconciliation in this country and all ethnicities can live equally and happily.

GT: Some Myanmar's minority armed groups are in border area with China. What is their role in China-Myanmar relationship?

Geng: From China's perspective, this is one of the most sensitive areas on the border. These minority groups are citizens of Myanmar, but also relatives of China. We care about their destiny and they deserve humanitarian aid from us. Their prosperity is the prerequisite to the peace and stability on the border.

GT: China's investment in Myanmar is another aspect of the bilateral relationship. What is the root cause for the frequent impediments against China's investment projects?

Geng: There are many factors contributing to this issue. The political landscape in Myanmar has seen changes in recent years. The junta has been replaced by an elected government. This is a major change. Many of the Chinese projects were signed with the military government. These projects, in Myanmar's citizens' eyes, have not taken their interests into consideration. This is an objective fact. Myanmar's citizens, originally dissatisfied with the junta government, vent their anger on China instead. In addition, the Western intervention added to the problem as well. China's problem is that it only kept contact with the Myanmar government before, thinking the government should have distributed the benefits to its peoples. The Chinese projects also need to be transparent. These are areas China should improve.

GT: How to dispel Myanmar's citizens' misunderstandings and prejudices against China?

Geng: I think the following two aspects ought to be taken into consideration. First of all, just as our association has done, we should devote efforts into the public services step by step and in a thoroughgoing manner so that the citizens can gain real benefits. In addition, large projects, in my view, have great influences. The demands of Myanmar's citizens should be prioritized over the profits. For instance, the first idea I put forward, during the meeting with President U Thein Sein on December 3 last year, was that as Myanmar has a severe shortage of electricity, the quickest solution should be transferring electricity from China. Myanmar responded actively to this proposal. Yet, given some other factors, the progress is not satisfactory.

GT: Myanmar started its democratization progress in 2010. How do you feel when looking back on the development of China-Myanmar relationship in the past five years?

Geng: I have started to understand the situation in Myanmar since I worked with the CMFA. The outlook of China-Myanmar relationship is bright. China is a major power. Its international status and economy are much better than before. The Chinese policies, as long as they are proper, can win popularity among Myanmar's citizens and realize bilateral cooperation.

GT: What do you think are the tests facing the bilateral relationship?

Geng: The next government in Myanmar should understand the situation clearly, and figure out which side is helpful and beneficial to the country. Instead of courting for political purposes, it should make real contributions to Myanmar's citizens. With abundant resources, Myanmar should not be as poor as it is now. Over time, Myanmar should realize who its real friend is.