August 28, 2024

Chinese Ambassador Ms. Ma Jia met with Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Swe on August 27 in Naypyidaw, urging the protection of Chinese projects and Chinese nationals working in Myanmar. This meeting followed earlier discussions between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Myanmar’s military leaders, during which agreements were made to enhance stability and economic development in the country, according to a statement from the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar.

During the August 27 meeting, Deputy Prime Minister U Than Swe and Ms. Ma Jia discussed the implementation of agreements made during Wang Yi’s visit, as well as the need for Myanmar to maintain stability for economic growth. The Chinese Embassy’s statement also mentioned that Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, head of Myanmar’s military government, had promised to fully protect Chinese projects during his meeting with Ms. Ma Jia on August 21.

Ms. Ma Jia also held separate meetings on the same day with Union Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation U Min Naung, and Union Minister of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations Dr. Kan Zaw, discussing matters related to Chinese investments in Myanmar.

China remains a major buyer of agricultural products from Myanmar, including crops like sugarcane, corn, watermelon, and bananas, which are primarily grown in the northern regions of Myanmar. Chinese traders dominate the markets for these crops through border trade routes.

According to the August 19 report by the Institute for Strategy and Policy – Myanmar (ISP-Myanmar), there are ten Chinese projects in northern Shan State and neighboring areas. These projects are largely under the control of Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) and People’s Defense Forces (PDFs).

Caption: (Chinese Ambassador Ms. Ma Jia and Deputy Prime Minister U Than Swe, U Min Naung, and Dr. Kan Zaw discussing Chinese projects in Naypyidaw on August 27) Photo: Chinese Embassy in Myanmar