The new Chinese ambassador to Myanmar, Ma Jia, met junta defense minister General Tin Aung San in Naypyitaw on Wednesday to discuss border security and joint military training, regime media reported.
She said military cooperation was an integral part of the bilateral friendship, according to the Chinese Embassy.
Tin Aung San thanked China for its defense support and assistance and called for deeper ties, the embassy said.
Ma also met junta foreign minister Than Swe on Wednesday and reached important agreements, the embassy said without providing details.
This week China conducted live-fire drills near its border with northern Shan State, which is now held by anti-regime armies.
China has been one of the regime’s few allies since the 2021 coup but it also has ties with the rebel groups fighting the junta.
United Nations special rapporteur Tom Andrews reported in May last year that the military had purchased US$267 million worth of weapons and military equipment from China since the coup.
On May 30, Major General Yang Yang, a Chinese intelligence chief, met junta deputy Soe Win for talks on military cooperation.
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi discussed defense cooperation and called for stability with junta boss Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw this month.
Wang called on the regime to ensure the safety of Chinese investments and staff in Myanmar and stability along the border.
Min Aung Hlaing this month promised “utmost efforts” to protect the safety of Chinese projects and staff in Myanmar.
But many Chinese projects in northern Shan State and Mandalay Region are now in rebel hands.
Trade with China through Muse in northern Shan State has ceased since October and the China-backed Tagaung nickel processing plant in Tigyaing Township, Sagaing Region, fell to resistance groups in late July.
Anti-regime troops have also occupied the China-backed Alpha cement plant in Patheingyi Township, Mandalay Region.
The China-backed Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone and deep-sea port project are encircled by the advancing Arakan Army (AA). The project intends to give China direct access to the Indian Ocean, which is central to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Regime forces are retreating in Kachin State where China is pushing for the resumption of the stalled Myitsone Dam hydropower project.
China has recently closed northern Shan State border crossings in areas controlled by the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), to restrict the flow of goods including medicines, fuel and food to groups fighting the regime.
Chinese special envoy to Myanmar Deng Xijun met Kachin Independence Army vice-chair General Gam Shawng in Tengchong, Yunnan Province, on Wednesday.
Sources told The Irrawaddy that Beijing has warned the UWSA about the flow of weapons through its territory to the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).
China reportedly plans to hold separate talks with the TNLA, MNDAA and AA.
