With Myanmar regime’s emergency rule expiring at the end of this month, the junta’s second-in-command Soe Win discussed preparations for a general election with Chinese officials on Sunday.
On his first official visit to China since the 2021 coup, Soe Win arrived in Qingdao on Saturday to attend the Green Development Forum at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
On Sunday, he met Shen Yueyue, vice chairwoman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and president of SCO’s Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation Commission.
Junta media said they discussed border stability, security for Chinese investments in Myanmar, elimination of online scam operations, promotion of trade and the proposed election.
The deputy minister for natural resources, Min Thu, and Myanmar’s ambassador to China, Tin Maung Swe, also attended the meeting.
Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has promised an election next year and China has offered to assist the process.
Min Aung Hlaing has not visited China since the 2021 coup.
Soe Win’s only previous official visit was to Russia.
Former president Thein Sein last month visited Beijing to mark the adoption of the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence, which established Communist China’s foreign policy. The ex-general met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Observers say Soe Win may have discussed the ongoing fighting in northern Shan State which will also dominate the National Defense and Security Council’s meeting that will be held in late this month to extend the junta’s emergency rule.
