Foreign Minister Wang Yi becomes most senior Chinese official to visit Myanmar since coup

The government-in-exile has criticised Wang for lending legitimacy to the military junta that overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi’s government last February

But Wang praised the junta for its ‘China-friendly’ approach and promised to develop economic ties with its neighbour

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrives in Bagan. Photo: AP

Published: 11:00pm, 3 Jul 2022

China pledged to continue to foster friendly ties with Myanmar and bolster economic relations as Foreign Minister Wang Yi became the highest ranking official from Beijing to visit the country since last year’s coup.

“China appreciates Myanmar’s firm China-friendly policy, supports the people of Myanmar in exploring a development path in line with their national conditions and supports Myanmar in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests and national dignity in international forums,” Wang told his Myanmese counterpart Wunna Maung Lwin, according to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry on Sunday.

Beijing has sought close relations with Myanmar, regardless of the government of the day, and Wang is expected to chair the foreign ministers’ meeting of the Beijing-led Lancang-Mekong Cooperation mechanism on Monday.

The government-in-exile has criticised China’s inclusion of the junta in the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, and has criticised Wang’s visit for lending legitimacy to the junta. It has previously urged Beijing to “take action to help reinstate … the legitimate government elected by the people of Myanmar”.

Speaking on Friday, the day before Wang arrived in Bagan, Major General Zaw Min Tun, the junta’s deputy information minister, said the visit was a recognition of Myanmar’s military rulers, which overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi last February.

Wunna Maung Lwin told Wang that he appreciated “China’s selfless assistance to Myanmar’s national development”, according to the statement by the Chinese foreign ministry.