Chinese President Xi Jinping and military council leader Min Aung Hlaing met on May 9 to discuss the security of Chinese interests and personnel in Myanmar. During the meeting, the Chinese President directly requested practical guarantees for the safety of Chinese employees, organizations, and projects in Myanmar. Additionally, they discussed the importance of effectively combating online gambling, telecommunications fraud, and cross-border crimes, according to Chinese state media Xinhua.
Military council leader Min Aung Hlaing responded by emphasizing the importance of relations with China, stating that Myanmar would continue to be China’s trusted partner. He promised to enhance cooperation between the two countries in economics, trade, and energy sectors while guaranteeing the complete security of Chinese projects and personnel. This meeting took place during Min Aung Hlaing’s attendance at the 80th anniversary celebration of World War II victory in Moscow, Russia. China is Myanmar’s largest foreign investor, with major infrastructure projects including oil and natural gas pipelines, hydropower projects, and mining operations. However, due to the current political instability in Myanmar, some Chinese projects have been affected, and the Chinese government is particularly concerned about protecting its economic interests. The military council also considers it crucial to maintain China’s support, thus prioritizing the security of Chinese projects.
The meeting highlighted the complex relationship between China and Myanmar’s military council, with China seeking concrete assurances for its investments and personnel while the military council attempts to maintain crucial diplomatic support from its powerful neighbor. The discussion of cross-border crimes and online fraud reflects growing concerns about illegal activities affecting both countries, particularly in the border regions. The military council’s commitment to protecting Chinese interests comes at a time when it faces significant challenges in maintaining control over various parts of the country, making the security guarantees for foreign investments particularly significant in the current context.
