Wen Jiabao to skip Myanmar visit; Chinese envoy meets Suu Kyi

China's Premier Wen Jiabao, for unknown reasons, has put off his visit to Myanmar scheduled for next week and adding to the intrigue, a Chinese diplomat met pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi for the first time.

Wen, who was scheduled to attend a summit of Mekong River countries in Myanmar on Dec 19-20 will now be represented by State Councillor and top diplomat Dai Bingguo.

Dai Bingguo will represent China at the Mekong meeting, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Liu Weiman told a media briefing here today.

He also said Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar met 66-year-old Suu Kyi and "listened" to her ideas on the bilateral relations.

"Madame Aung San Suu Kyi has proposed a number of times her desire for contact with Chinese side, and the Chinese ambassador to Myanmar's meeting was in answer to this".

Liu said  The ambassador "listened to Aung San Suu Kyi's ideas. China has always strived to develop a comprehensive strategic partnership with Myanmar, and supports the Myanmar government's efforts to advance economic and social development and promote domestic reconciliation".

The meeting between Chinese diplomat and Suu Kyi assumes significance because it was rare since Beijing, which backed the military regime, has not known to have any contact with her in the past.

The meeting coming close after the recent visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that was regarded as a fence mending meeting with the pro-democracy leader whose prolonged detention has lead to international isolation of Myanmar for long.