China has been ramping up its support for Min Aung Hlaing since last August. The junta boss reciprocated on Saturday with an unprecedented show of appreciation for Beijing during Chinese New Year celebrations in Yangon.
During an event hosted by the Chinese expat community at the National Indoor Stadium, Min Aung Hlaing promised to accelerate China’s ongoing mega-projects in Myanmar. He also emphasized that efforts by adversaries to harm Myanmar-China relations would not succeed, while urging Beijing to assist in the country’s peace process.
Also attending the event were Min Aung Hlaing loyalists, including military intelligence chief Ye Win Oo, military business supremo Nyo Saw, former Admiral Moe Aung, and the current air and navy chiefs and ministers.
Notably, two major events were held to mark Chinese New Year this year – a reception and a celebration – whereas only the celebration occurred in previous years.
The New Year reception was held at the Inya Lake Hotel in Yangon on Jan. 23, attended by Prime Minister’s Office minister and ex-defense minister Tin Aung San. He used the occasion to express deep gratitude for China’s role in Myanmar’s “peace and national reconciliation processes” and vowed to expand the cooperation in 2025.
In previous years, Min Aung Hlaing has thanked China for its support on the international stage and emphasized his regime’s cooperation in the Mekong-Lancang project and combating border scams.
But this year, he focused on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), calling it a boon for the development of other countries, including Myanmar. He singled out his regime’s collaboration with China on the Myanmar-China Economic Corridor, which will link Yunnan Province to the Indian Ocean.
Chinese New Year was being marked as a public holiday in Myanmar for the first time this year in recognition of Beijing’s friendship, he added.
“Domestic and international groups that do not want to see friendly ties between Myanmar and China are employing various methods to sow discord between the two countries. We must prove that no method or action can ruin our friendship,” Min Aung Hlaing said.
He repeatedly referred to China as an “eternal good neighbor” and a “good friend of Myanmar” while describing Myanmar as a “trustworthy friend and neighbor” of China.
The declarations starkly contrasted with his response to military defeats in northern Shan State in late 2023, when he claimed ethnic forces were advancing with the aid of Chinese drones and technicians. His regime also orchestrated protests by military supporters outside China’s diplomatic missions in Yangon and Naypyitaw.
However, in July, as the northern Shan capital of Lashio and its Northeastern Command were on the verge of falling to the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the regime declared Chinese New Year a public holiday.
Official recognition of the Chinese holiday – unprecedented in the 75 years of China-Myanmar diplomatic relations – sparked criticism that Min Aung Hlaing was sacrificing national dignity to China.
Two weeks after the fall of Northeastern Command in early August, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi flew to Naypyitaw to show Beijing’s backing for the regime. He also expressed support for the junta’s planned national poll.
Beijing then pressured ethnic forces in northern Shan State to stop fighting, while the junta conducted an intense bombing campaign on rebel-held areas.
The regime also formed a committee paving the way for Chinese security forces to protect Beijing’s interests in Myanmar. The move was widely criticized as a breach of sovereignty.
In November, China hosted Min Aung Hlaing for the first time since the coup, underscoring its solid support for the junta.
During the trip, the junta boss met Chinese Premier Li Qiang and promised to push ahead with Chinese projects in Myanmar, including a railroad linking Yunnan Province with Kyaukphyu in Rakhine State through Mandalay Region and Shan State. He emphasized that Myanmar attached great importance to the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor project. In return, Li promised to help with the junta’s proposed poll and said it would not tolerate any China-based organization meddling in Myanmar.
The regime is pressing ahead with its plans to set up a joint security company and expedite China-backed Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone and deep-sea port projects in Rakhine.
It also signed a ceasefire agreement with the MNDAA on Jan. 18, following talks brokered by China.
Saturday’s Chinese New Year celebrations in Yangon were larger than in previous years, with Chinese Ambassador Ma Jia presiding over a lion dance performance and martial arts display.
In its social media post about the celebration, the Chinese Embassy referred to Min Aung Hlaing as Myanmar’s head of state. Under the post, Myanmar netizens commented that the Chinese government’s strategic partnership with the brutal military regime would forever estrange it from the Myanmar people.
