Carrying forward enduring Pauk-Phaw friendship: China President Xi holds talks with Myanmar President Min

On June 16, 2026, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing during the latter’s state visit to China.

The two leaders exchanged in-depth views on bilateral relations, the building of a China–Myanmar community with a shared future, Belt and Road cooperation, and regional peace and stability.

They reached broad consensus on a range of issues, charting a clear course for comprehensive strategic cooperation in the new era and elevating the long-standing friendship between the two countries to a new level.

China and Myanmar are neighboring countries connected by mountains and rivers and bound by the centuries-old Pauk-Phaw friendship, a term symbolizing the fraternal ties between the two peoples.

This year marks the 76th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Over the past seven decades, China and Myanmar have worked together in the spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, upholding good-neighborliness, mutual respect, equality, and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Their relationship has become an example of friendly coexistence and shared development between countries of different sizes. President Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to China represents an important step in maintaining regular high-level strategic communication and demonstrates Myanmar’s commitment to strengthening friendship and expanding cooperation with China.

During the talks, President Xi highly praised the traditional friendship and achievements of bilateral cooperation. He noted that over the past 76 years, China and Myanmar have stood together through changing international circumstances, supporting one another and maintaining close ties.

China, he emphasized, has consistently pursued a neighborhood diplomacy characterized by amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness. China regards Myanmar as a trusted neighbor and partner, adheres to the principle of non-interference in Myanmar’s internal affairs, and firmly supports Myanmar in safeguarding its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and right to pursue a development path suited to its national conditions.

President Xi stressed that amid an increasingly complex international and regional environment, the two countries should continue to strengthen strategic coordination and make full use of head-of-state diplomacy to guide bilateral relations.

President Min (L) and President Xi

Taking the building of a China–Myanmar community with a shared future as the overarching framework, both sides should advance practical cooperation across various sectors and translate the enduring Pauk-Phaw friendship into tangible benefits for their peoples.

A major focus of the discussions was the China–Myanmar Economic Corridor. President Xi described the corridor as a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative that aligns closely with the development priorities of both countries.

China, he said, is ready to work with Myanmar to steadily advance cooperation in transportation, energy, agriculture, and cross-border connectivity while ensuring security and stability.

China also expressed its willingness to continue implementing small-scale, people-centered assistance projects that support disaster recovery, rural revitalization, healthcare, and education in Myanmar, helping improve living standards for ordinary citizens.

In the fields of trade, culture, and people-to-people exchanges, the two leaders agreed to expand bilateral trade, facilitate border commerce, and deepen cooperation in agricultural products, mineral resources, infrastructure, and industrial supply chains.

Both sides also pledged to broaden cooperation in tourism, education, youth exchanges, media collaboration, and cultural activities, encouraging greater interaction between their peoples and strengthening the social foundation of China–Myanmar friendship.

The two countries also reached important understandings on security and border governance. They agreed to deepen cooperation in border management and jointly combat cross-border crimes, including telecommunications fraud, drug trafficking, and illegal migration, in order to safeguard stability and protect the safety and property of people living in border areas.

China reiterated its willingness to strengthen security coordination with Myanmar and support efforts aimed at national reconciliation and stability, contributing to peace and security on the Indochina Peninsula.

On regional and international affairs, the two leaders emphasized the enduring relevance of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Bandung Spirit. Both countries reaffirmed their support for the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. T

hey pledged to uphold multilateralism, oppose bloc confrontation, and strengthen coordination within frameworks such as ASEAN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Together, they will work to safeguard the interests of developing countries and promote a more just and equitable international order while contributing to regional prosperity and stability.

President Min Aung Hlaing expressed his gratitude for China’s longstanding support and assistance. He noted that the people of Myanmar deeply value the Pauk-Phaw friendship and highly cherish their traditional ties with China.

Myanmar, he said, remains firmly committed to the one-China principle, fully understands and respects China’s positions on issues concerning Taiwan, Xinjiang, the South China Sea, and other core interests, and supports China in safeguarding its sovereignty, security, and development interests.

President Min Aung Hlaing stated that Myanmar is currently at a crucial stage of national reconstruction and development. He noted that the China–Myanmar Economic Corridor and Belt and Road cooperation projects have provided strong momentum for Myanmar’s economic recovery and social development.

Myanmar is prepared to work closely with China to advance key cooperation projects and deepen collaboration in trade, agriculture, infrastructure, security, and cultural exchanges.

He also expressed support for further high-level engagement and strategic communication to advance the building of a China–Myanmar community with a shared future and bring greater benefits to both peoples.

Following the talks, representatives of the two countries witnessed the signing of a series of cooperation agreements covering trade, agriculture, cultural exchanges, infrastructure, and other areas.

These agreements transformed shared understandings into concrete actions, injecting fresh momentum into all-round China–Myanmar cooperation Bound by geography and united by a deep-rooted friendship, China and Myanmar continue to move forward together toward a shared future.

Taking the 76th anniversary of diplomatic relations as a new starting point, the two countries have further consolidated strategic consensus and expanded the scope of mutually beneficial cooperation.

Looking ahead, China and Myanmar will continue to carry forward their longstanding friendship, deepen practical cooperation across all sectors, and work together to write a new chapter of common development and prosperity while contributing lasting strength to regional peace, stability, and progress.

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