China backs Myanmar's efforts for early political reconciliation

ANKARA

China on Thursday backed the Myanmar junta’s efforts towards early political reconciliation, saying that Beijing is willing to deepen bilateral ties with its Southeast Asian neighbor.

After arriving in Myanmar on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the junta chief.

"China supports Myanmar's efforts towards early political reconciliation within the constitutional framework, and is willing to work with Myanmar to deepen bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields," the state-run Xinhua News Agency quoted Wang as saying.

In June, Min Aung Hlaing announced the holding of long-delayed elections next year, an announcement also welcomed by political parties.

The junta leader said that Myanmar attaches great importance to its relations with China, firmly adheres to the one-China policy, and is willing to remain a friendly neighbor that China can always trust, according to Xinhua.

He also thanked Beijing for playing a key role to bringing peace to Myanmar and said he hoped China will continue supporting Myanmar in safeguarding domestic stability and achieving political reconciliation.

"Myanmar stands ready to continue to work with China in combating cross-border crimes such as online gambling and telecom fraud and will never allow any act that harms China's security and interests," he said.

In February 2021, Myanmar’s army overthrew the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and seized power in a military coup.

The country fell into deep social, political, and economic turmoil as the army launched brutal campaigns against perceived opponents.

Since October, fighting between the military and armed opposition groups has intensified and spread to most of Myanmar.

Since the 2021 coup, over 2,470 airstrikes have been carried out, resulting in over 1,300 deaths.

More than 2.8 million people in the war-torn country are displaced, and at least 18 million require humanitarian aid, according to UN agencies.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid