Xi expresses strong support for Myanmar

President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that China is willing to work with Myanmar to deepen comprehensive strategic cooperation and achieve more results in building a China-Myanmar community with a shared future, so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples and make greater contributions to regional peace and development.

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

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

China and Myanmar enjoy a profound “pauk-phaw” (brotherly) friendship, Xi said, adding that in the 76 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two neighbors have stood together through thick and thin, helped each other, and jointly upheld and put into practice the five principles of peaceful coexistence.

Their relations constitute a fine example of equality and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries, he added.

Xi also said that China attaches importance to relations with Myanmar in its neighborhood diplomacy and is committed to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, adding that China’s policy of friendship towards Myanmar is for all the people of Myanmar.

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

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

As this year marks the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), Xi said China is willing 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 enhanced security, and integrated and mutually enriching exchanges.

Calling the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor a flagship project of Belt and Road cooperation, Xi called on the two sides to steadily advance key projects on the basis of ensuring security, so as to help Myanmar develop its economy and improve its livelihoods.

China is ready to step up support for Myanmar’s post-earthquake reconstruction and implement more “small but smart” assistance projects, Xi said. He urged the two countries to continue to combat online gambling, telecommunications 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 peace talks and achieving 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 Myanmar’s firm commitment to the one-China principle.

The new Myanmar Government is making every effort to advance domestic peace and development, he said, adding that his country looks forward to strengthening comprehensive cooperation with China, jointly building the Myanmar-China Economic Corridor and increasing trade and investment.

He promised that Myanmar would do everything possible to ensure the safety of Chinese businesses and personnel in the country, and would work closely with China to combat online gambling and telecommunications fraud.

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

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

Premier Li Qiang also met with Min Aung Hlaing on Tuesday.

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

“This reflects the strong desire of the new Myanmar government to deepen ties with China, as well as the strategic resilience of China-Myanmar relations,” she said.

She said China, which has been Myanmar’s largest trading partner for many years and an important source of investment, has cooperated with Myanmar in infrastructure, energy, minerals and other areas, adding that such cooperation helps resolve bottlenecks in financing, technology and infrastructure.

Bilateral trade reached $19.4 billion in 2025, up 19.1% year-on-year, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. After a massive earthquake struck Myanmar last year, China announced aid totaling 1.1 billion yuan ($163 million) to support disaster relief and reconstruction.

Zhou Fangyin, a professor at the School of International Relations at Sun Yat-sen University, said stronger relations between China and Myanmar would help prevent regional conflicts from spreading, improve local livelihoods and promote peace through development.

At a time when geopolitical shocks are intensifying in many parts of the world, peace and stability in East Asia have not come easily and should be cherished all the more, Zhou said.

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