China has offered its assistance to Myanmar’s military government as it goes through a democratic transition.
Beijing, however, also asked the international community to play a “constructive role in helping Myanmar achieve peace and reconciliation.”
The remarks were made by the Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang at a meeting with the leader of the junta in Myanmar, Aung Hlaing, on Tuesday in Nay Pyi Daw, the country’s capital.
According to Chinese official media in a statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday, Qin expressed China’s earnest wish that Myanmar can achieve stability and national development.
He said that China aids Myanmar in looking into a growth route that “suits its national conditions.”
According to Qin, China “supports Myanmar in moving forward with its political transition process and supports relevant parties in the country to appropriately address differences and seek national reconciliation within the constitutional and legal framework.”
The international community should respect Myanmar’s sovereignty and work to bring about peace and reconciliation in the country, he said.
Myanmar, a country with a majority of Buddhists in Southeast Asia, saw a military takeover in February 2021 when the military ousted the National League for Democracy (NLD) government and imposed a junta administration.
At least 3,240 individuals have been slain by government troops since the coup.
- China supports greater ties between Myanmar and Bangladesh
Hlaing and China’s top diplomat reaffirmed their bond, known as “Paukphaw” or “fraternal friendship,” during their meeting on Tuesday.
“The Chinese side will continue to do everything within its power to support Myanmar in its development efforts, speed up key cooperation projects of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, and implement projects on agriculture, education, and health care, among other things, for the benefit of the Myanmar people,” said Qin.
China’s foreign minister said that Beijing “supports Myanmar improving its relations with Bangladesh, with related issues to be resolved through consultation.”
China is “willing to work with the two countries to expand China-Myanmar-Bangladesh pragmatic cooperation,” Qin said.
According to Hlaing, he “appreciated China’s objective and impartial position on Myanmar-related issues, where China is welcome to play a greater role.”
Hlaing assured Chinese citizens and institutions in Myanmar of their safety and stated: “Myanmar is always ready to cooperate with the Chinese side to maintain tranquility in the border areas of the two countries.”
Separately, Qin met Than Shwe, the former head of the Myanmar State Peace and Development Council and current foreign minister of Myanmar.
“China has always been a good neighbor, friend, and partner that Myanmar can rely on, and has always supported Myanmar in maintaining stability and promoting development,” Qin said to Shwe.
“China respects Myanmar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, firmly supports Myanmar in maintaining its independence and autonomy, maintaining political stability, and achieving sustainable development,” said Qin, who also noted that Beijing supports Myanmar “in steadily advancing the political transformation process.”
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