BEIJING – China’s top diplomat Wang Yi vowed firm support for Myanmar to protect its sovereignty during talks with junta leader-turned-president Min Aung Hlaing, as Beijing bolsters ties amid regional tensions and positions itself against US influence.
On his Southeast Asia tour hitting Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar, Wang met Hlaing in Naypyitaw on April 25, pledging expanded trade and security cooperation, especially along their shared border, per a Chinese foreign ministry readout. “As the first year of your new government’s tenure, let’s seize this to advance our traditional friendship,” Wang urged.
Hlaing, sworn in as president earlier this month after a coup five years ago ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected regime, igniting a civil war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives, presided over a junta-endorsed January election dismissed by watchdogs as a sham to legitimize military rule. Voting skipped rebel-held areas, but China sent representatives to the ceremony, emerging as the poll’s key backer. Recent military gains stem from Beijing-brokered truces with border ethnic rebels, signaling China’s stake in junta stability.
Wang also conferred with Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe on boosting electricity, oil, gas, trade, and security ties, plus tackling online scams plaguing border zones. Myanmar’s state media highlighted commitments to border calm, smooth trade, peace talks, due by late July and cracking down on cyberscam hubs that have fleeced billions globally from fake romances and crypto schemes. Both US and China press regional crackdowns on these operations, often run by trafficked or willing scammers targeting Chinese speakers and beyond.
Wang promised resolute action to “thoroughly eradicate” telecom fraud and online gambling, as Hlaing calls rebels to negotiate post his armed forces resignation.