Farkhund Yousafzai
Beijing, 15 August 2024 (TDI): Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi kicked off his four-day visit to Southeast Asian countries, with a trip to Myanmar and then traveling to Thailand to co-chair the 9th Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, where he is also set to participate in the Informal Discussion Between the Foreign Ministers of China, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand.
Chinese analysts said that Wang’s tour is a demonstration that Beijing, as a responsible power, is always devoted to promoting in-depth cooperation on security, economic, and social issues with equality and mutual benefit with neighboring nations under the concept of a community of shared future for mankind.
In the context of external interference in and distraction over South China Sea problem, observers noted that Wang’s trip will further strengthen communication and coordination between China and ASEAN nations, which underlines the common aspiration of regional countries to pursue peace, stability and prosperity.
Wang held a meeting with Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw on Wednesday, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing and Chinese FM Wang Yi meet in Myanmar capital discussing deepening bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation https://t.co/TTfcdhsa8p pic.twitter.com/me9r3Dq5wi
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) August 15, 2024
As a friendly neighbor, Beijing opposes turmoil and war in Myanmar, opposes interference in Myanmar’s internal affairs by external powers, and opposes any attempts to sow discord in China-Myanmar ties and smear China, Wang said.
The Myanmar leader said that his country attaches great significance to its relations with China, is committed to developing bilateral friendship. It firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to remain a friendly neighbor that Beijing can trust forever.
Myanmar is also willing to continue to cooperate with Beijing to jointly crack down on transnational crimes such as telecom fraud, and will never allow any act that undermines China’s interests and security, Min Aung Hlaing said, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
On Wang’s trip to Myanmar, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement that it is aimed at deepening bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation in different fields, strengthening the close bond of friendship between the two peoples, and advancing the building of the China-Myanmar community with a shared future.
