Myanmar's president arrives in Beijing for state visit

President of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Beijing on Monday afternoon to start his state visit to China.

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Min Aung Hlaing is paying a state visit to China from Monday to Friday.

This is his first state visit to China since his election.

During the visit, Xi will hold talks with Min Aung Hlaing. Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, will meet with him respectively, according to the Chinese foreign ministry. This year marks the 76th anniversary of the establishment of China-Myanmar diplomatic ties.

Over the past 76 years, from jointly advocating and practicing the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence to working hand in hand to build a China-Myanmar community with a shared future, the development of bilateral relations have continued to thrive with renewed vitality.

Over the recent years, China-Myanmar cooperation has advanced on all fronts. Construction of major infrastructure and economic and trade cooperation have progressed steadily, and in the face of disasters, China has provided immediate assistance and worked hand in hand with Myanmar for post-disaster reconstruction.

Exchanges in the fields of science, technology, education, culture and health between the two countries have also continued to pick up steam, with closer cultural ties. The millennia-old "pauk-phaw" friendship between the two sides has grown ever deeper over the years.

Myanmar's president arrives in Beijing for state visit

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Wednesday that the Strait of Hormuz will not return to the pre-war conditions, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported

Iran has the right to exercise sovereignty over the strategic waterway, and of course the country will charge ships for services, the speaker said.

On Monday, Iran's Foreign Ministry said that the country would charge maritime service fees, rather than levy tolls, on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz under a framework agreement with the United States, according to media reports.

Three Iranian tankers carrying 5 million barrels of oil have sailed through the strait, according to Iran's state-run TV and other media outlets on Wednesday.

Strait of Hormuz not to return to pre-war conditions: Iranian parliament speaker