China reiterates it can help ‘improve’ Myanmar-Bangladesh relations | World News

Beijing: Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang reiterated Beijing’s willingness to mediate between Myanmar and Bangladesh to “improve” bilateral relations, China’s latest attempt to cast itself as both a negotiator in the global conflict and a key player in India’s neighbour. participants.

Qin, the highest-ranking Chinese official to meet Myanmar’s top leader since the military coup two years ago, also pledged support for the country’s “exploration” of a development path with “Myanmar characteristics”.

China maintains close ties to the internationally isolated junta and has refused to condemn a military takeover.

Visiting foreign minister Chin Nay Pyi Taw praised the China-Myanmar relationship to Myanmar’s military leader, General Min Aung Hlaing, and Beijing is also preparing to “expand” ties between China, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

According to a statement from China’s foreign ministry, Qin told the junta general: “China supports Myanmar in improving relations with Bangladesh, and relevant issues will be resolved through consultations, adding that China is willing to cooperate with both countries to expand China-Myanmar relations-Bangladesh Pragmatic Cooperation .

China has worked with both countries to resolve the Rohingya refugee crisis since it erupted in 2017, in part to secure its border with Myanmar and protect its cross-border economic interests.

However, Qin’s latest statement was backed up by China’s recent role in brokering a rapprochement between rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Relations between Nay Pyi Taw and Dhaka have been strained since the 2017 Rohingya refugee crisis, in which hundreds of thousands of people fled to Bangladesh from marginalized Muslim communities to escape persecution.

New Delhi is also in touch with the junta and has been involved in recent talks to repatriate Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh to Myanmar.

However, Beijing is using its economic clout to forge closer ties with Myanmar.

“China supports Myanmar in advancing the political transition process, supports relevant parties in Myanmar to properly handle differences under the constitutional and legal framework, and seek national reconciliation,” Qin said.

“The international community should respect Myanmar’s sovereignty and play a constructive role in helping Myanmar achieve peace and reconciliation,” he added, according to a foreign ministry statement.

Speaking of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, Qin Shihuang said: “China will continue to provide assistance within its capacity for the development of Myanmar, accelerate the promotion of key cooperation projects in the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, and implement projects that benefit the people.” Such as agriculture, education and medical care. “

Qin also met with Myanmar Foreign Minister Than Shwe during his visit.

“Myanmar is willing to work with China to maintain security and stability in border areas, and to promote the construction of the China-Myanmar-Bangladesh Economic Corridor together with China and Bangladesh,” Than Shwe told Qin.

A 2021 coup in Myanmar that ousted elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi sparked widespread peaceful protests that were violently suppressed by security forces. Thousands have been killed in the crackdown, destabilizing the country.

Meanwhile, reports from Yangon said Myanmar’s military junta on Wednesday pardoned 2,153 prisoners jailed for criticizing the junta after the coup.

“The amnesty follows the release of more than 3,000 prisoners last month,” Bloomberg said in a report from Yangon, adding: “The regime is accused of using increasingly brutal methods to subdue opponents, and since the coup, ethnic armed groups and resistance forces have taken over an army unable to stabilize the country.”