China FM assures Myanmar leader Beijing will support its security, sovereignty

Top Chinese ambassador Wang Yi met with junta leader-turned-president Min Aung Hlaing and said Beijing will “firmly support” Myanmar in protecting national sovereignty and security.

Wang has been on a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia this week, visiting Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar, attempting to bolster relations in the face of “risks” and offer Beijing as a more stable alternative to the United States.

China encourages Myanmar “to forge a development path that suits its national conditions and enjoys the support of the people” and has provided “humanitarian assistance” to Myanmar, Wang told Min Aung Hlaing during a visit to the capital Naypyidaw, according to a Chinese foreign ministry readout issued late Saturday.“This year is the first year of the new Myanmar government’s tenure, both sides should seize this opportunity to carry forward and promote their traditional friendship, (and) open up new prospects for bilateral relations,” Wang said.

Five years after seizing power in a military coup, Min Aung Hlaing was sworn in as president this month, extending his control from a civilian seat.

He was sworn in at a parliamentary event attended by officials of countries including China, the biggest backer of the junta-backed election, analysts believe.

The closely regulated election, which ended in January, has been criticised by democracy watchdogs as an attempt to rebrand military authority. Voting did not take place in sections of the nation controlled by rebels who are battling the military and rejected the poll.

“China is willing to work with Myanmar to resolutely and thoroughly remove the scourge,” Wang said.

“Recently, Myanmar has emerged as a hot spot of cyberscam operations.”

At first, the transnational crime groups targeted people who spoke Chinese, but then they expanded their operations, stealing tens of billions of dollars a year from victims worldwide.