China, Myanmar strengthen trade, military ties
September 11, 2016, 5:23 am

Visiting Vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission Xu Qiliang (5th L) meets with Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon, Myanmar [Xinhua]

A statement from China’s Central Military Commission earlier this weekend praised the strengthening of mutual trust between the two countries and the growing exchange and cooperation with the Myanmar army.

Vice chairman of the Commission Xu Qiliang told Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi during his visit to Yangon that Beijing strongly backs the country’s national reconciliation efforts.

Tensions along the Myanmar side of the Chinese border has aggravated over the recent past as the Myanmar government was besieged by demands of greater autonomy from several ethnic groups.

China has repeatedly raised the issue of reconciliation to halt the civilian strife in Myanmar and called for a ceasefire between government troops and the rebel groups. Artillery shells exchanged between the two fighting sides in Myanmar had flown over the border more than a couple of times and landed inside China.

These clashes in Myanmar have also pushed refugees into China.

Xu conveyed Beijing’s willingness to assist the Myanmar peace process and looks forward to mutual cooperation on enhancing security and stability along their shared border.

The strengthening of ties comes just three weeks after Suu Kyi’s five-day state visit to China.

The two countries signed a deal to build a strategic bridge near their border.

China is Myanmar’s most important trade partner and one of its main sources of foreign direct investment.

Earlier in August, China agreed to build two hospitals in Myanmar’s two largest cities, Yangon and Mandalay.

The BRICS Post with inputs from Agencies