Bulukumba News – In the magnificent hall of the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, two national leaders walked side by side under a row of red flags that stood tall. Official cameras recorded every handshake. Outside the building, the world is still debating the legitimacy of the Myanmar government after the 2021 coup. But inside the room, the message sent by China was clear: Beijing remains on Naypyidaw’s side.
Tuesday, June 16 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping received Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing on a state visit which was one of the most important meetings for the Myanmar government this year.
For Min Aung Hlaing, the visit was not just a diplomatic agenda. In the midst of international pressure and the protracted conflict that is still dividing Myanmar, support from China is a valuable political asset.
Xi Jinping expressed his desire to continue strengthening the friendship and strategic cooperation between the two countries.
“We wish to continue the fraternal friendship between the two peoples and deepen comprehensive strategic cooperation,” Xi said as quoted by Chinese state media, reported Al Jazeera.
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China’s support for Myanmar amidst isolation
Since Myanmar’s military took power in 2021 and overthrew the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, many countries have distanced themselves from Naypyidaw.
But China chose a different path.
Beijing remains one of Myanmar’s most important international partners. This relationship is not only driven by political factors, but also interrelated economic and security interests.
During the meeting, Xi also emphasized his support for the peace and reconciliation process in Myanmar.
“China supports all parties in Myanmar to advance peace and reconciliation through dialogue and achieve long-term stability in northern Myanmar,” he said.
This statement came when armed conflict was still ongoing in a number of areas of Myanmar. Several areas have even become locations for China’s strategic projects included in the Belt and Road Initiative program.
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18 deals and the future of China-Myanmar relations
After closed-door talks lasting less than an hour, the two leaders witnessed the signing of 18 cooperation documents.
The agreement covers various sectors, from cross-border transportation in the Greater Mekong region, free trade, health, media, to assistance during natural disasters.
For China, Myanmar’s stability has important meaning. The country is a strategic route for Beijing’s energy and trade projects towards the Indian Ocean. Oil and gas pipelines stretching across Myanmar to plans to build a deep sea port are part of China’s long-term interests in the region.
On the other hand, both countries also face the same problems, namely the rise of online fraud, illegal online gambling and the growing narcotics trade in a number of border areas.
Xi stressed the need for closer cooperation to eradicate transnational crimes.
The meeting in Beijing may be short-lived. But amidst Asia’s ever-changing geopolitical dynamics, Xi Jinping and Min Aung Hlaing’s handshake sent a message that was much longer than the duration of their meeting.
While most of the world still views Myanmar with great caution, China shows that relations between the two are still ongoing, even closer. And from Beijing, a new direction for that relationship is now starting to be written again.***
