Amid the junta’s intensified aerial bombardments of rebel-held areas near the Chinese border, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Ma Jia met junta No. 2 Soe Win in Naypyitaw on Friday.
The two discussed cooperation between the countries’ militaries in various sectors including technology and information. Ma was accompanied by military attaché Qu Zhe. The two sides also discussed peace and stability along the border and internal peace in Myanmar, according to junta media.
The meeting followed China’s lodging of a protest with Myanmar over an attack against its consulate in Mandalay with an explosive device on Oct. 18.
The Chinese ambassador also met with junta Information Minister Maung Maung Ohn on Friday to discuss enhancing media cooperation between the two countries.
Shortly after she was appointed ambassador to Myanmar in August, Ma met junta Defense Minister Tin Aung San to discuss cooperation and training between the countries’ armed forces.
The following month, Tin Aung San was invitied to Beijing where he met General He Weidong and discussed increased cooperation in the defense sector, training and the sending of Myanmar trainees to China. He also observed production of unmanned aerial vehicles and air defense weapons, and explored potential for cooperation.
China-Myanmar relations have strengthened following Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Naypyitaw in mid-August. Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing has since vowed to retake territories his regime has lost to ethnic armies, intensifying air attacks there.
On Friday as Ma met Soe Win, the regime dropped five bombs on rebel-controlled Lashio, the capital of northern Shan State and former home of the Myanmar military’s North Eastern Command, which was captured by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA).
On Oct. 27, the anniversay of a large-scale offensive launched by the Brotherhood Alliance of three ethnic armed groups, the regime carried out bombing raids on towns controlled by the MNDAA and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), two members of the alliance.
China has closed its border crossings in Kachin and northern Shan State as it pressures ethnic armed organizations to halt their offensives and engage in talks with the regime.
Recently, MNDAA leader Peng Daxun met Chinese special envoy to Myanmar Deng Xijun. Chinese officials have also met leaders of the Kachin Independence Army and United Wa State Army.
Previously, China explicitly made threats against the TNLA, warning it to stop fighting the regime.
Over the past few months, China has invited former Myanmar President Thein Sein as well as senior officials of the current junta including Soe Win, Tin Aung San and Home Affairs Minister Yar Pyae for talks.
Min Aung Hlaing will make his first official visit to China soon.
Though China has often portrayed itself as a friend of the Myanmar people, it is one of the key suppliers of arms to the murderous regime, providing it with diplomatic support on the international and regional stages, and assisting in various other sectors.
