China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Myanmar's junta chief Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw on Saturday, as part of a regional tour to bolster Beijing's political and strategic ties in Southeast Asia, state-run MRTV reported.
The discussions focused on enhancing Myanmar's international relations and cooperation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Wang's visit comes after Min Aung Hlaing was sworn in as president on April 10, following an election widely criticised as neither free nor fair.
China, Myanmar's largest trading partner and a longstanding ally, has invested billions in the country's infrastructure and is a major arms supplier. Beijing was among a handful of nations to openly support the recent elections and send congratulations to Min Aung Hlaing.
ASEAN, which includes Myanmar, did not recognise the elections due to the exclusion of opposition groups and ongoing civil war. Myanmar's leaders have been barred from ASEAN meetings after failing to implement a 2021 peace plan. In his inauguration speech, Min Aung Hlaing said restoring ties with ASEAN was a top priority.
The two sides also discussed border stability, trade, cooperation against cybercrime, and Myanmar's internal peace efforts. China maintains ties with ethnic armed groups near its border, including the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which captured large territories in 2023-2024 before China-brokered ceasefires slowed their advance.
