China pledges support for Myanmar elections

During a meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing in the capital Naypyitaw on August 14, the two sides discussed holding a "comprehensive election," according to the Global New Light Of Myanmar newspaper.

"Necessary technological support will be provided to Myanmar to conduct the census process. Furthermore, essential support will be provided for the election," said the newspaper published by the Myanmar Information Ministry.

Myanmar military leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (right) exchanges gifts with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a meeting in Naypyidaw, August 14. Photo: Myanmar Military True News Information Team

Last month, Myanmar’s generals extended the state of emergency for another six months to allow more time to compile census data for voter rolls. Min Aung Hlaing had previously said an election would be held next year.

China's foreign ministry said "China's friendly policy towards Myanmar is aimed at the entire people of Myanmar".

Mr. Wang Yi said China maintains a stance of non-interference in Myanmar's internal affairs, respecting Myanmar's political traditions and "the development path chosen by the Myanmar side based on its national conditions."

"China opposes chaos and war in Myanmar, interference by external forces in Myanmar's internal affairs, as well as any attempts to sow division between China and Myanmar," he said.

During the Aug. 14 meeting, the two leaders also discussed the situation in restive border areas, eliminating online gambling and fraud, as well as economic cooperation, state media reported.

Myanmar's military is under unprecedented pressure three years after the overthrow of civilian rule, with an armed rebellion against the junta growing and the economy faltering.

Since last year, the China-Myanmar border region has seen fierce fighting, with government troops suffering a series of defeats, including the fall of Lashio in northern Shan State, the first of 14 regional military headquarters to be seized by the rebels.

Last October, a rebel alliance led by three major anti-junta groups launched Operation 1027 near the Chinese border, inflicting significant casualties on Myanmar’s military government. The offensive was halted after Beijing brokered a ceasefire.

But fighting resumed in June after the ceasefire collapsed, marking the beginning of the second intensified phase of the campaign, in which Lashio was retaken from the military government.

After his visit to Myanmar, Wang Yi is scheduled to attend a meeting with several Southeast Asian foreign ministers in Thailand on August 16.

Ngoc Anh (according to Global New Light Of Myanmar, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/trung-quoc-cam-ket-ho-tro-cho-cuoc-bau-cu-o-myanmar-post307840.html