China foreign minister visits Myanmar, meets with military chief
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with the chief of Myanmar’s junta in Naypyitaw on Tuesday and confirmed Beijing’s unity with the military-led government of the Southeast Asian country, it said.
Qin became the first Chinese foreign minister to meet with Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing in the Myanmar capital since the coup occurred in February 2021.
According to the junta, Qin said at the meeting that his visit shows China is on Myanmar’s side in the international community. It noted that he will meet with other government officials during his stay through Thursday.
Qin visited Myanmar as Aung San Suu Kyi, the former democratic leader who was detained in the coup, has been imprisoned over various charges including corruption, and Rohingya Muslims, an ethnic minority, remain in Bangladesh after being persecuted in the Buddhist-majority Myanmar.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said that Qin’s visit is aimed at deepening practical cooperation in areas such as the economy and supporting Myanmar’s efforts to “maintain stability, revitalize the economy, improve people’s lives and realize sustainable development.”
After Myanmar, Qin will visit Panaji, India, and attend the May 4-5 foreign ministerial meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, according to the ministry.
