China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang visits Myanmar ahead of India trip

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Dipanjan Roy Chaudhury

, ET BureauLast Updated: May 04, 2023, 12:17 AM IST

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Qin Gang Myanmar's junta chief on Tuesday to showcase China's support for the military council, said people aware of the matter. While the junta has found China an ally amid the sanctions since the coup, China needs Myanmar as a gateway to the Bay of Bengal and subsequently the Indian Ocean Region, much to India's discomfort, they said.

Myanmar China — Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang

China's foreign minister Qin Gang has visited Myanmar, India's key neighbour, ahead of his visit to Goa for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers' meeting.

He met Myanmar's junta chief on Tuesday to showcase China's support for the military council, said people aware of the matter. While the junta has found China an ally amid the sanctions since the coup, China needs Myanmar as a gateway to the Bay of Bengal and subsequently the Indian Ocean Region, much to India's discomfort, they said.

While Qin might meet his host, foreign minister S Jaishankar, in Goa, the latter is expected to call for restoration of status quo along the Line of Actual Control for any meaningful improvement in bilateral ties. This would be their second meeting since March 1, when they met in Delhi for the G20 foreign ministers' meeting.

Qin is the highest ranked Chinese official to have met Myanmar's top general since the coup more than two years ago. He met with Myanmar's junta leader in Naypyidaw to discuss the situation in the Southeast Asian country, Myanmar state television MRTV announced on Tuesday.

After meeting the junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, Qin said his visit "not only indicates the friendship of the two countries but also China's stance on Myanmar on the world stage", MRTV said.

Qin discussed Myanmar's stability and development with the general, said Myanmar's state television.

Wednesday, 03 May, 2023

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