Chinese President Xi Jinping began a meeting in Beijing with his Myanmar counterpart Min Aung Hlaing on Tuesday, as the neighbouring countries look to deepen relations. Min Aung Hlaing arrived in China for a 5-day visit until Friday, marking his first trip to the world's second-largest economy since the former junta chief formalised his grip on power following controversial elections in the war-torn country in December and January. Beijing held a state welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People on Tuesday morning before the leaders commenced their talks. The two men then witnessed the signing of cooperation documents, according to Chinese official media agency Xinhua, which provided no further elaboration.

China remains one of the most important foreign partners of Myanmar's military, which seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, triggering an armed uprising. China's foreign ministry stated it supports Myanmar in unifying domestic political forces and restoring stability. Beijing also invested in various projects in Myanmar under its Belt and Road Initiative, including a deep-sea port and an oil and gas pipeline crossing the country.

The meeting marks Min Aung Hlaing's second with Xi in less than a year, after he attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin last August. While Min Aung Hlaing picked India for his first foreign trip after becoming president, analysts suggested these visits to China signal a closer relationship with Beijing and provide a boost to his international acceptance.

-Reuters