Chinese foreign minister visits Myanmar amid fresh fighting between junta and rebel groups

The trip by Wang Yi follows the collapse of a Chinese-brokered ceasefire and a major setback for the military near the border with Yunnan

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A burnt-out building in Lashio in Shan state, which recently fell to the rebels. Photo: AFP

Published: 10:00pm, 13 Aug 2024Updated: 10:34pm, 13 Aug 2024

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Myanmar on Wednesday after heavy fighting near the Chinese border saw rebel groups making a series of gains that prompted suggestions it marked a “fundamental change” in the situation.

Recently Beijing has stepped up its efforts to mediate between the ruling junta and a loose alliance of ethnic minority rebel groups with which it also maintains relations.

Wang’s visit to Myanmar, the highest-level Chinese visit since May last year, follows special envoy Deng Xijun’s trip to Naypyidaw last week to meet junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and the arrival of China’s new ambassador Ma Jia on Monday.

In a statement ahead of Wang’s visit, the Chinese foreign ministry said: “China strictly follows the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs, supports Myanmar’s effort to uphold stability … and provides constructive help for parties in Myanmar to properly address differences through political consultation within the framework of the constitution and other laws.”

Yin Yihang, a fellow on Myanmar affairs at Beijing think tank the Taihe Institute, said Wang’s visit, which will also include a trip to Thailand for talks with Mekong River states, was “very timely” after a Chinese-brokered ceasefire in Myanmar fell apart in June.