Xi Jinping Pledges Deeper Cooperation with Myanmar
Quick Look
- Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed a commitment to strengthening strategic guidance and comprehensive cooperation with Myanmar, referring to their relationship with a Burmese term for close ties.
- The leaders witnessed the signing of 18 MOUs covering areas like transport, trade, disaster relief, health, and media.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with his Myanmar counterpart, emphasizing the strong bilateral relationship and signing multiple cooperation agreements.
“I am willing to strengthen strategic guidance with you, carry forward our pauk-phaw friendship, and deepen comprehensive strategic cooperation,” Xi said, according to news footage aired by state broadcaster CCTV. He was using a Burmese term that refers to the two countries’ close-knit ties.
As Myanmar’s neighbour with the longest shared border, China was “a trusted friend and steadfast partner”, Xi told his counterpart from Myanmar.
“In the face of an international situation intertwined with changes and turbulence, both sides must maintain strategic clarity and resolve, and strengthen unity and cooperation,” he said.
Following a closed-door meeting at the Great Hall of the People, the two leaders witnessed the signing of cooperation documents. According to Reuters, the 18 memorandums of understanding cover areas from cross-border transport in the Greater Mekong subregion and free trade to help in natural disasters, health and media.
Open Questions
- What are the specific details of the free trade agreements?
- How will these agreements impact regional stability?
