Chinese Foreign Minister Visits Myanmar and Thailand

Wang Yi's visit to Myanmar, China's highest-level visit since May last year, follows a trip by special envoy Deng Xijun to Naypyidaw last week to meet with junta chief Min Aung Hlaing.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Photo: mfa.gov.cn

In a statement ahead of Wang Yi's visit, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said: "China strictly adheres to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, supports Myanmar's efforts to maintain stability...".

China remains deeply concerned that fighting in northern Myanmar could spill over into its border. Earlier this year, Beijing protested after five people in the town of Nansan in Yunnan province were injured by cross-border artillery fire.

Last week, Major General Zaw Min Tun confirmed that three senior Myanmar military commanders had been “captured by terrorist insurgents”.

The renewed fighting was a key issue at a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) last month, with “deep concern over the escalation”.

The United Nations on August 12 condemned the "deeply worrying trend" of increased violence in Myanmar, especially in Shan and Rakhine states on the border with Bangladesh.

After his visit to Myanmar, Wang Yi will travel to Thailand to co-chair the ninth LMC Foreign Ministers' Meeting. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, the LMC is an innovative regional cooperation mechanism among China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam featuring cooperation, consultation and common interests.

Since its launch in 2016, the mechanism has yielded positive results, effectively contributing to the economic and social development of the six Mekong-Lancang countries and bringing benefits to the people of the countries.

Ngoc Anh (according to SCMP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/bo-truong-ngoai-giao-trung-quoc-cong-du-toi-myanmar-va-thai-lan-post307639.html