习主席在北京会见昂山素季

It's been 65 years since China and Myanmar established diplomatic relations.

President Xi Jinping says the traditional relationship has not changed, calling the two countries "close, friendly neighbors."

He has also spoken highly of the practical cooperation between the two.

"Our two countries are currently having very close exchanges on different levels and we have been coordinating and communicating well on both international and regional issues. Our practical cooperation in various fields has been fruitful."

Suu Kyi is leading a delegation of several lawmakers of her National League for Democracy in China at the invitation of the Communist Party of China.

Xi Jinping, also General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, says he's pleased to see rapid progress in the development of ties between the CPC and the NLD.

"I hope this visit will help deepen your understanding on China and the CPC, which will contribute to our mutual understanding and trust, and lay a better foundation for the party-to-party and state-to-state relationship."

The Chinese leader has also called on Suu Kyi and her party to play a constructive role in guiding the people of Myanmar to having a better understanding of China and to view bilateral cooperation in an unbiased and rational way.

China-Myanmar ties have seen some rocky periods in recent years, as a number of Chinese-invested projects had been stalled.

The two countries signed more than a dozen cooperation deals in November, but ties were strained in March after fighting between the Myanmar government and rebels spilled over to the Chinese side of the border and caused some Chinese casualties.

During the meeting with Xi Jinping, Suu Kyi made clear that ties between Myanmar and China as neighbors are of great importance.

"Myanmar and China are neighbors, and neighbors cannot be selected. Developing a friendly bilateral relationship is of utmost importance. The NLD values the friendship between the two countries and admires China's remarkable achievements under the leadership of the CPC."

Suu Kyi says she hopes her visit will help strengthen ties between the parties and the people.

Since her release from house arrest in 2010, Suu Kyi has said that her country must maintain friendly relations with China, and has repeatedly expressed her wish to visit China.

Her five-day stay in China comes amid expectation that the NLD will perform strongly in Myanmar's general election in November.

For CRI, I'm Qi Zhi.   Latest Pics