CRI听力:Panglong Peace Conference underway in Myanmar

A Chinese special envoy has expressed his hope that the second session of the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference could form a new starting point in Myanmar's peace process as three armed ethnic groups are attending the conference for the first time as special guests in the country's capital Nay Pyi Taw. CRI's Myanmar correspondent Tu Yun explains. 

The 21st Century Panglong, first held at the end of August last year, is a conference initiated by Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi after her party came into power last April. It's scheduled to be held every six months. 

The second session kicked off on Wednesday after several postponements. 

State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.

"At this Union Peace Conference we have reached the stage where we are able to discuss the basic federal principles that are so important for our country and our people. Together we are embarking on a new chapter in our history that will help us to realize the long-held aspirations of our people." 

1400 representatives from the government, the army, the parliament, social organizations as well as eight armed ethnic groups that have signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, or NCA, are attending the five-day event. 

Among them are also members from seven major armed ethnic groups from the North, which are non-signatories to the NCA. 

Three of them, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Ta'ang National Liberation Army and Arakan Army, are attending for the first time as special guests. 

Zhao Guo'an is a spokesperson for the United Wa State Army, or UWSA, the largest ethnic army in Myanmar, also the most powerful of the seven non-signatories. 

"The seven armed groups are able to be present at the conference thanks to the security guarantee from the Chinese government, which has being doing a lot of political work for what's been achieved today. We have confidence (in this meeting), but what lies ahead is a long and meandering road with a lot of contention. But we are hoping for peace in general, which can hopefully be achieved through political dialogue rather than force." 

Sun Guoxiang, China's special envoy on Asian affairs is attending the conference at the invitation of Myanmar. 

"The Chinese government has been closely watching Myanmar's peace process. We've also been actively coordinate with the Myanmar government in strengthening communication and cooperation in this process… The seven armed ethic groups' presence at the conference is a demonstration of the National League for Democracy administration's goal of achieving an all-inclusive peace process…We hope this could be a new starting point, having positive influence over the next phase of the peace process." 

Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi promises that the government will continue its peace endeavor. 

"As we look ahead, I hope that 2017 can be designated the 'Year of Peace', and that as we pursue political dialogue, we can work towards identifying the principles that will form the basic foundations of our federal system. At the same time, we will keep open the door to dialogue with non-signatory ethnic armed organizations, and strive to bring them under the umbrella of the NCA." 

The conference will wrap up on Sunday. 

For CRI, I'm Tu Yun reporting from Nay Pyi Taw.