China discusses reopening border trade, cooperation in mining with Myanmar

China and Myanmar discussed the resumption of border trade and cooperation in energy and mining during a visit to Naypyidaw on Saturday by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to a statement by the office of Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing.

“We believe Myanmar will become a country with long-term development under your leadership,” Wang was quoted as saying in the statement, after a meeting with the 69-year-old former military chief. The two sides also discussed improving cooperation in agriculture and technology, and in cracking down on online scams.

Wang is in Myanmar until Sunday as part of a visit that also takes in Thailand and Cambodia. It follows a separate visit to Myanmar by Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, who offered backing for Myanmar’s bid to normalize ties with Asean. The bloc has banned Min Aung Hlaing from key summits since he ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government in 2021.

Myanmar has been struggling with a weakened economy and an ongoing civil war since the 2021 military coup. The former junta leader Min Aung Hlaing was sworn in as president earlier this month after a widely-criticized election which was held in military-controlled areas only. Earlier this week, the regime imposed martial law in 60 out of 330 townships where ethnic armed groups are active.

(By Khine Lin Kyaw)