Mizzima
Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing praised good relations between Myanmar and China in a speech celebrating the Chinese New Year in Yangon, on 18 February 2024.
In the speech, made at the 2024 Gold Dragon Chinese New Year Festival held at National Indoor Stadium-1, Min Aung Hlaing expressed his gratitude to the People’s Republic of China and the Chinese people for maintaining a good fraternal relationship with Myanmar and standing with Myanmar in international affairs.
He said that there had been good relations built on solid foundations between Myanmar and China since before the Pyu era in Myanmar (in the second century BCE) and that they could not be destroyed any more than water can be divided.
He claimed that Myanmar is actively eradicating transnational crime, illegal drug production and trafficking, human trafficking, online gambling and online scams, whilst implementing the rule of law.
He said that he believes there will be greater bilateral cooperation between the countries, which will lead to greater peace and stability and development projects in the border areas.
Min Aung Hlaing also asked China and the Chinese people to continue assisting peace and stability measures and development in Myanmar.
The Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar, Mr. Chen Hai also gave a speech at the festival where he extended New Year’s greetings from China to Myanmar and said that both countries would cement bilateral trust and friendly ties.
China brokered a peace deal in northern Shan State between the Brotherhood Alliance and the junta, which has held since 11 January, though the Brotherhood Alliance has continued to fight the junta in Rakhine State, which does not share a border with China.
