President Xi Jinping met Myanmar’s Acting President Min Aung Hlaing in Tianjin on 30 August, reaffirming China’s support for Myanmar’s sovereignty and development while pledging closer strategic cooperation.

 

The meeting, held during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit and commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the World Anti-Fascist War, underscored the enduring “pauk-phaw” friendship between the two nations. Xi praised Myanmar’s historical role in the Eastern theatre of the war and called for deeper ties as the countries mark 75 years of diplomatic relations.

 

China committed to backing Myanmar’s post-earthquake recovery, political reconciliation, and economic growth. Xi urged progress on the China–Myanmar Economic Corridor and joint efforts to combat cross-border crime and protect Chinese nationals and investments in Myanmar. He also stressed the importance of upholding the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and defending the UN-centred international order.

 

Min Aung Hlaing echoed the sentiment, thanking China for its long-standing support and reaffirming Myanmar’s adherence to the one-China policy. He pledged to expand Belt and Road cooperation and strengthen ties in trade, energy, and infrastructure. Myanmar, he said, would continue contributing to the SCO’s development as a committed dialogue partner.

 

The leaders signed several bilateral agreements, including in customs and media cooperation, signalling a renewed phase of engagement amid regional uncertainty. Senior Chinese officials Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and Chen Min’er were also present.

 

As tensions persist in northern Myanmar and the country remains under military rule, the meeting reflects Beijing’s strategic embrace of its southern neighbour—anchored in shared history, pragmatic interests, and a vision of regional stability.

 

 

-2025-08-31

This article not only brushes under the carpet the true situation in Burma, where less than 50% of the country is controlled by Min Aung Hlaing, but it also demonstrates the hollowness of the CCP's claim of China's non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.

 

The NUG may have missed the boat by failing to make a more determined diplomatic effort to assure China that its future economic and geopolitical interests would not be threatened by a democratic federal government.  But instead hoping for support from the West that never came.