Chinese President Hu Jintao met Saturday with Than Shwe, chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of Myanmar, on the sidelines of the Asian-African Summit in Jakarta.

China and Myanmar are friendly neighbors and their people have close relations like brothers and sisters, Hu said, adding that China-Myanmar relationship has withstood the test of changes in international and domestic situation over the past 55 years of diplomatic ties.

The Chinese president said he is "satisfied" with the growth of bilateral ties between China and Myanmar, and that it has been an important part of China's foreign policy to maintain a friendly ties with Myanmar.

"We will work with our friends in Myanmar to carry on the traditional friendship and bring our bilateral relationship to a new high," said Hu Jintao.

China and Myanmar have conducted fruitful cooperation in areas of agriculture, human resources development, natural resources development and infrastructure construction, according to Hu.

Hu proposed the two countries explore new ways and means to expand economic cooperation and trade, saying China will provide assistance to Myanmar for its economic construction.

Chairman Than Shwe said the people of Myanmar are glad to see China's economic miracle and grateful of China's assistance and support.

He said Myanmar has increased investment in manufacturing and hopes more Chinese firms would come to invest.

Chairman Than Shwe briefed Hu on the domestic situation of Myanmar. Hu said China would continue to support the efforts of the Myanmar government to maintain national stability, unity among ethnic groups and expansion of foreign exchange.

Source: Xinhua