During talks with Min Aung Hlaing, president backs peace, development

President Xi Jinping said on June 16 that China stands ready to work with Myanmar to deepen comprehensive strategic cooperation and achieve more results in building a China-Myanmar community with a shared future, to deliver more benefits to the two peoples and contribute more to regional peace and development.

Xi made the remarks during talks in Beijing with Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing, who was on a five-day state visit to China — his first since assuming the presidency in April.

Noting Min Aung Hlaing’s longstanding commitment to friendship with China, Xi said that they met twice last year, when they had in-depth exchanges on issues of strategic importance that bear on the direction of bilateral relations.

China and Myanmar enjoy a deep “pauk-phaw” (fraternal) friendship, Xi said, adding that over the 76 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two neighbors have stood together through thick and thin, helped each other and jointly advocated and practiced the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

Their relationship has set a fine example of equality and mutually beneficial cooperation between the countries, he added.

China places relations with Myanmar in an important position in its neighborhood diplomacy and is committed to the principle of noninterference in internal affairs, Xi said, adding that China’s policy of friendship toward Myanmar is for all the people of Myanmar.

He voiced China’s firm support for Myanmar in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for Myanmar’s new government in coordinating development and security and pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions and supported by its people.

Xi emphasized that China, a neighbor with whom Myanmar shares the longest border, is a trustworthy friend and partner, and he urged the two sides to remain strategically clear-headed and focused, and bolster solidarity and coordination amid a turbulent and changing international landscape.

As this year marks the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, Xi said that China stands ready to share development experience with Myanmar and jointly build a China-Myanmar community with a shared future featuring political friendship and mutual trust, mutually beneficial development, coordinated and mutually reinforcing security, and integrated and mutually enriching exchanges.

Describing the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor as a flagship project of Belt and Road cooperation, Xi called on both sides to steadily advance key projects to help Myanmar grow its economy and improve livelihoods.

China is ready to step up support for Myanmar’s post-earthquake reconstruction and implement more “small yet smart” assistance projects, Xi said. He urged the two countries to continue cracking down on online gambling, telecom fraud, drug trafficking and other criminal activities to safeguard the interests and security of the two peoples.

Xi also expressed China’s support for all parties in Myanmar in pursuing peace and reconciliation through talks and realizing long-term peace and stability in northern Myanmar, saying this serves the fundamental and long-term interests of Myanmar and its people.

Min Aung Hlaing expressed gratitude for China’s long-standing selfless support for Myanmar’s development, stability, peace and reconciliation, and reaffirmed his nation’s firm commitment to the one-China principle.

Myanmar’s new government is making every effort to advance domestic peace and development, he said, adding that his country looks forward to strengthening all-round cooperation with China, jointly building the Myanmar-China Economic Corridor and elevating trade and investment.

He pledged that Myanmar would make every effort to ensure the safety of Chinese enterprises and personnel in the country, and that it will work closely with Beijing to combat online gambling and telecom fraud.

He voiced full support for the four global initiatives proposed by Xi and expressed readiness to strengthen multilateral communication and coordination with China.

Following the talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents in transportation, livelihoods and other areas.

Premier Li Qiang also met with Min Aung Hlaing on June 16.

Du Lan, an associate research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, said the visit came at a crucial time as Myanmar works to restore development and stabilize its domestic situation.

Bilateral trade reached $19.4 billion in 2025, up 19.1 percent year-on-year, according to China’s Foreign Ministry. After a strong earthquake struck Myanmar last year, China announced assistance of 1.1 billion yuan ($163 million) for disaster relief and reconstruction.

Zhou Fangyin, a professor at Sun Yat-sen University’s School of International Relations, said stronger China-Myanmar relations will help prevent regional conflicts from spilling over, improve local livelihoods and promote peace through development.

Contact the writers at zhaojia@chinadaily.com.cn