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China-Asean relations
ChinaDiplomacy

China’s Qin Gang pledges economic help for Myanmar, stops short of recognising junta

  • During rare visit, the Chinese foreign minister meets Myanmar’s junta leader, the most senior official to do so since a military coup
  • But amid international condemnation of regime, analysts say Beijing has not officially recognised it

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During a rare high-level visit, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang meets Myanmar’s junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, in Naypyidaw on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua
Shi Jiangtao

In a rare visit to Myanmar, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has called for stability in the troubled country and urged the international community to respect its sovereignty and help push for peace and reconciliation.

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Qin praised China’s “good-neighbourly relations” with Myanmar during a meeting with the country’s junta chief on Tuesday, promising economic help on key infrastructure deals and other projects and pledging to “build a community of a shared future” between the two neighbours.
Qin’s visit, and his meeting with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in particular – making him the highest-ranking Chinese official to do so since a coup in February 2021 – signalled Beijing’s warming ties with the military regime.

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But Chinese analysts said the visit should not be interpreted as Beijing’s official recognition of Myanmar’s junta, as China remained ambivalent towards the military-ruled government and its ability to control the country amid international condemnation of the coup and the ensuing conflict.

According to an official readout by China’s foreign ministry, Qin described the two countries as “brothers who share the same mountain and water”, and said China was ready to promote the comprehensive strategic cooperation promised by President Xi Jinping during a 2020 state visit.

“China sincerely hopes for Myanmar’s stability and development, supports Myanmar in exploring its development path that is in line with its national conditions and with Myanmar’s characteristics,” Qin was quoted as saying.

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He also pledged Beijing’s support for Myanmar’s pursuit of political transformation and efforts by all relevant parties to “properly settle their differences and seek national reconciliation under the constitutional and legal framework”.

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