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Beijing -Naypyidaw Summit, ahead of Clinton's historic visit to Myanmar
Face to face meeting between future Chinese leader Xi Jinping and the commander of the Burmese armed forces Min Aung Hlaing. Safety, economy and military cooperation at the center of the talks. But the focus revolves around the U.S. Secretary of State, expected in Myanmar. Fears and uncertainties for the balance in the region.
Beijing (AsiaNews) - Ensuring the safety of shipping along the Mekong River, strengthening economic and trade cooperation between Beijing and Naypyidaw, "improving exchanges and strengthening cooperation" between the Chinese and Burmese armies. These were the issues on the agenda yesterday at the meeting in the Chinese capital between the vice-president - and future leader - Xi Jinping and the commander of the Armed Forces General Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar. The face to face (see photo) between the two senior officials comes just a few days before the historic visit of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Myanmar after decades of trade sanctions and diplomatic tensions between Washington and the Burmese government.
Xi, who is also vice-president of the Central Committee of the army, has confirmed the "historic friendship" between China and Myanmar, promoted "by the leaders of older generations" and which has survived the "changes in the international environment." The official Chinese state news agency Xinhua added that Beijing will "always" support Myanmar in maintaining national unity, economic development and improving the quality of life.
In contrast in Naypyidaw, General Min Aung Hlaing has spoken of promoting cooperation between the armies and strategic cooperation to safeguard peace and stability in the region. According to the state news agency, the general confirmed support for Beijing’s "one China" policy regarding the status of Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang.
However, beyond official statements, relations between China and Myanmar are clouded by tension. Beijing has not yet fully digested the decision of the President of Burma Thein Sein to stop construction of the Myitsone dam in Kachin territory. Also in the former Burma - particularly among the leaders of the army - there remains a certain mistrust of the Chinese giant, which in the second half of the 900 funded and supported communist guerrillas against the Burmese army.
In the coming days there will be the historic visit of Hillary Clinton to Myanmar. The U.S. Secretary of State will be the highest American official to set foot in the country in the last 50 years. Human rights and economic sanctions will be the focus of the talks, but it is safe to assume that the U.S. will try to shift the balance in the region, trying to limit the influence of Beijing.