Peace role in Myanmar sought
China hopes to help safeguard stability in region, Xi tells visiting military chief
China would like to play a constructive role in Myanmar’s domestic peace process and safeguard the safety and stability of the border region, President Xi Jinping said on Friday.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while meeting with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, commander-in-chief of Myanmar’s Defense Services, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
China respects the sovereignty of Myanmar and pays strong attention to Myanmar’s domestic peace process, Xi said.
Noting that the traditional friendship between the two sides has a long history, Xi called for joint efforts with Myanmar to enhance strategic communication and to take each other’s major concerns into consideration.
The military relations between the two countries are at the best level in their history, Xi said, adding that China supports military exchanges and cooperation with Myanmar.
The CPC’s 19th National Congress has provided the blueprint for China’s economic and social development, which will not only inject powerful impetus into China’s development, but also bring new opportunities for other countries, including Myanmar, to cooperate with China, Xi said.
Min Aung Hlaing congratulated Xi on the success of the CPC’s 19th National Congress as well as Xi’s re-election as general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
He expressed gratitude for China’s long-term support toward the national and military development of Myanmar and its support for Myanmar’s peace process.
Myanmar would like to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and enhance cooperation in all areas with China, he added.
Xu Qiliang, vice-chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, met with Min Aung Hlaing in Beijing on Thursday, a day after Li Zuocheng, chief of staff of the Joint Staff Department under the Central Military Commission, met with the Myanmar military officer.
Xu said China will stick to developing the China-Myanmar friendship and supporting Myanmar to realize its domestic peace and national reconciliation, no matter how the international situation or
the two countries’ domestic situations change.
On Sunday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi proposed a threephase solution for Myanmar’s Rakhine state, starting with a cease-fire, when he and Myan- mar State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi jointly met with reporters in Naypyitaw, the capital of Myanmar.
China believes the issue can be addressed by finding a solution acceptable to both Myanmar and Bangladesh through consultations, Wang said.
While the key is to prevent flare-ups, the second phase should be bilateral talks between the two countries to find a workable solution, Wang said, adding that he hoped the two sides could sign and implement a repatriation agreement that has almost been reached.
Xu Liping, a researcher of Southeast Asian studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that Rakhine state is facing a humanitarian crisis and that the situation there affects the stability of
Myanmar and Bangladesh, where many from Rakhine state have fled.
As a responsible country and Myanmar’s neighbor, China has the obligation to be concerned about the country’s situation, and it is reasonable for China to offer constructive advice, Xu said.
“The visit of Myanmar’s military leaders shows the political trust between the two countries, and the military plays an important role in resolving this issue,” he added.
Jia Duqiang, a senior researcher of Southeast Asian studies at CASS, said China’s willingness to be involved in coordinating the issue involving the Rohingya people shows that the country is becoming more active in diplomacy.
“Both Myanmar and Bangladesh are important countries involved in building the Belt and Road and the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar economic corridor, so the stability in the area concerns not only China’s interests but also the interests of other relevant parties,” he said.