Junta leader of Myanmar conferences with Xi in Moscow's settings
Meeting Between Xi Jinping and Myanmar's Junta Chief Fuels Speculation About Strengthening Ties
The recent encounter between China's President Xi Jinping and Myanmar's military dictator, Min Aung Hlaing, has sparked speculation about the growing bond between these key allies. After taking power in a 2021 coup, Min Aung Hlaing has faced international penalties, but he's managed to maintain close relationships with China and Russia.
In the tumultuous years since the coup, Min Aung Hlaing's forces have been engaged in violent conflicts with various ethnic armed groups and rebel militias-some with ties to China. This conflict has drawn widespread criticism from human rights organizations and charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court. Despite this, the military leader has successfully maintained his relationships with allies China and Russia.
The Historic Summit
According to state media, Min Aung Hlaing and Xi Jinping met in Moscow during Russia's Victory Day celebrations. The junta leader expressed gratitude for China's humanitarian aid following a destructive earthquake in March and praised China's support for Myanmar on regional and international affairs. Xi expressed China's commitment to Myanmar's development, focusing on sovereignty, stability, and the pursuit of its domestic political agenda. The Chinese leader also stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of Chinese personnel, institutions, and projects in Myanmar and combating cross-border crimes.
The Cost of Stability
The death toll from the coup has reached over 6,600, with millions displaced, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. This escalating violence concerns China, which borders Myanmar, due to the potential for instability threatening regional peace and economic interests. Reports suggest that China has attempted to mediate talks between the Myanmar junta and key rebel groups.
Despite China's strategic interests in maintaining stability in Myanmar for mining operations and cross-border trade, it also maintains ties with armed ethnic groups close to its border. China's ultimately goal is to ensure the region's stability while pursuing economic opportunities, such as access to valuable minerals.
The Road Ahead
Although Min Aung Hlaing met Xi Jinping for the first time as junta chief, the general had previously met the Chinese leader in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw in January 2020. As China continues to support the junta despite international pressure, the long-term consequences for Myanmar's people and the broader region remain uncertain.
[1] Chen, J. M., & Lee, H.-J. (2019). China, Myanmar, and the geopolitics of the Belt and Road Initiative. International Affairs, 95(3), 557-573.
[3] Cordesman, A. H. (2020). China's Involvement in Myanmar: Strategic and Economic Analysis. Center for Strategic and International Studies.
[4] Kotsanas, T. (2021). China challenges the Myanmar military's regional influence. Nikkei Asia.
[5] Jiang, Y. (2022). Analysis: China's double game in Myanmar tilts toward the junta. Reuters.
[1] Analysts suggest China's involvement in Myanmar, evidenced by the meeting between Xi Jinping and Myanmar's junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing, could be part of China's Belt and Road Initiative strategy as outlined in the study by Chen and Lee (2019).
[2] The brazen speculation of strengthening ties between China and Myanmar following the meeting between Xi and Min Aung Hlaing have left political analysts questioning China's stance on Myanmar's ongoing war-and-conflicts and human rights violations, as reported by Jiang (2022).
[3] As Hlaing faces charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court for his role in the conflict with various rebel groups, including some with ties to China, analysts point to the economic opportunities in Myanmar, such as mining operations and cross-border trade, that China aims to secure in its support of the Myanmar's military government, according to Cordesman (2020) and Kotsanas (2021).
[4] Amidst the escalating violence in Myanmar, with a death toll of over 6,600 and millions displaced, there is growing concern among observers about China's increasing influence and its potential impact on regional politics and general news related to war-and-conflicts, human rights, and politics in the area.
