Thu Nov 07 23:33:00 UTC 2024: ## China’s Li Qiang and Myanmar Junta Chief Discuss Civil War During Kunming Visit
**Kunming, China -** Myanmar’s junta chief, Min Aung Hlaing, met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Kunming on Thursday, discussing the ongoing civil war in Myanmar. This marked Hlaing’s first visit to China since seizing power in a 2021 coup.
During the meeting, Hlaing reiterated the junta’s willingness to pursue peace if armed groups engage in negotiations. He urged the groups to prioritize peace over their own interests, according to state media reports.
China, a key ally and major arms supplier to the junta, has expressed concerns about the escalating conflict and the rise of online scam operations targeting Chinese citizens in Myanmar. Premier Li emphasized the need for ensuring the safety of Chinese citizens and projects in Myanmar, especially after a recent attack on the Chinese consulate in Mandalay.
While Li did not explicitly endorse the junta’s approach to the conflict, he stated China’s support for Myanmar’s efforts towards political reconciliation and transformation. Analysts speculate that Beijing is wary of a potential junta collapse and suspicious of Western influence among pro-democracy armed groups.
Myanmar holds significant strategic importance for China’s Belt and Road initiative, with infrastructure projects connecting China’s southwest to the Indian Ocean. The outcome of the meeting underscores China’s delicate balancing act between maintaining its strategic interests in Myanmar and addressing the increasing instability and security risks stemming from the civil war.
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