Tun Mon Thet (NP News) – May 3 

China has unveiled its healthy and vigorous support to Myanmar, especially in an aspect of political context, for power balancing in the international environment.

A good talk was made during the meeting of Myanmar Army Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing with the Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang yesterday in Naypyidaw. 

Bilateral tie between Myanmar and China has been tightened again in 2023 after two years of distancing since Myanmar’s 2021 turning point. 

Unfavourable situations which China experienced in Myanmar’s development segment were indeed burdensome for its business entities when it comes to be several years of being stagnant. Back in a decade-long Myanmar’s democratization from 2011 to 2020, two elected office terms suspended and restricted the progresses of China initiated development projects in the country. 

In September 2011, Then-President Thein Sein halted the Myitsone Dam Project in his term bowing to public pressure on the project. 

Again in 2018, Australian economic hitman Sean Turnell stigmatized the Kyaukphyu SEZ for its expense of an estimated 7.5b USD project ‘crazy’ and ‘absurd’ as the lead for ‘Debt Trap’. 

Reduction site capacity of Kyaukphyu Project by NLD ruling government was another defect for China unexpectedly encountered in Myanmar back to history beyond former military ruler Senior General Than Shwe. 

The Chinese FM Qin Gang reportedly made a visit for meeting with the retired Myanmar general Than Shwe on Tuesday. Qin reiterated China’s stance to its neighbour Myanmar of friendly position with Pauk Phaw Relationship during meeting with the former Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, Than Shwe, according to China State-sponsored media.  

Qin also reaffirmed for maintaining stability and promoting development of Myanmar when he met with the former general Than Shwe. 

Than Shwe, despite of the West’s portraying him as ‘junta’ or ‘dictator’, built Myanmar’s current administrative capital ‘Naypyidaw’ spending an estimated 4-5b USD dating back in 2006.

Qin repeated discussion for further promotion of cooperation in borderline stability, China’s assistance in Myanmar’s peace process, development projects and trade route enhancement when he met with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. 

Currently, there are over 90 projects ongoing in Myanmar under initiative of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, especially in agriculture, energy, and electric power sectors.

In changing volatile world political economy, China seems assuring for strategic cooperation with Myanmar in the aspects of regional security and stability though China once stood as the mastermind of Communist Party of Burma armed forces back in history.  

Reports informally stated that Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has accepted position of Chairmanship of Belt and Road Initiative in Southeast Asia. 

On April 21, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand visited Naypyidaw meeting with Myanmar’s foreign department senior officials. 

On April 18, Director-General of the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Mr. Peng Xiubin, paid a visit to Myanmar’s former military ruler Senior General Than Shwe and Former President Thein Sein before meeting with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

On the other hand, the terrorist affiliated National Unity Government, as well as the parent of terrorist PDFs, is holding online press conference for second year anniversary of being shadow government.