BEIJING: Beijing said Wednesday (June 17) it supports Myanmar's "full" participation in international organisations that have shunned it since a military coup, in a joint statement with the South-East Asian nation whose former junta chief is visiting China.
China is Myanmar's most crucial ally and a rare enduring partner after Min Aung Hlaing's 2021 coup ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, prompting diplomatic isolation.
The 11-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has shunned Myanmar from summits, with members divided over whether to allow it to reclaim a seat at the table over ongoing unrest.
Beijing, however, vocally backed recent polls that returned a walk-over win for pro-military politicians -- who then elected Min Aung Hlaing as civilian president.
"China supports the full, equal, and constructive participation of Myanmar in all Asean mechanisms and processes, as well as at the United Nations, to safeguard Myanmar's legitimate rights and interests," said a joint statement carried by Chinese state media.
Min Aung Hlaing met Xi Jinping for talks on Tuesday, when the Chinese president said Beijing "supports all parties in Myanmar in advancing peace and reconciliation through dialogue".
The countries also agreed to deepen cooperation in mining and energy, Wednesday's statement said, according to news agency Xinhua.
While Myanmar has been massively impoverished by the civil war, it has emerged as a major global supplier of mined rare earth minerals -- vital for China's production of renewable energy technology.
Myanmar is also a vital part of Beijing's trillion-dollar Belt and Road initiative, with railways and pipelines to link China's landlocked southwest to the Indian Ocean.
Min Aung Hlaing invited Xi to visit Myanmar "at a mutually convenient time", the joint statement said. - AFP
