On the 19th, China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Sun Lei, spoke at an informal UN General Assembly meeting on the Myanmar issue, stating that China firmly supports Myanmar in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions.
Sun Lei said that since the beginning of this year, Myanmar has held elections, the new government has smoothly taken office, and has been making every effort to promote domestic peace and development. As a friendly neighbor, China firmly supports Myanmar in following a development path suited to its national conditions and embraced by its people; firmly supports Myanmar in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, and national dignity; and firmly supports Myanmar in achieving national peace and stability, ethnic reconciliation, social harmony, and long-term stability.
Sun Lei said that Myanmar is an important member of the ASEAN family and is also an equal member of the international community. China supports Myanmar's comprehensive, equal, and constructive participation in ASEAN and United Nations mechanisms and processes, and the safeguarding of its legitimate rights and interests. China supports ASEAN in playing a greater role on the Myanmar issue in the “ASEAN Way.” The international community should work in tandem with ASEAN and regional countries and enhance constructive engagement with Myanmar to create a favorable atmosphere for consolidating the current positive momentum.
On the 19th, Myanmar's President Min Aung Hlaing concluded his five-day visit to China. On the 17th, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released the “Joint Statement between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar on Accelerating the Building of a China-Myanmar Community with a Shared Future.”
● Diplomatic Isolation of Myanmar
According to AFP, since Min Aung Hlaing launched a coup in 2021 overthrowing the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar has faced increasing diplomatic isolation, and China has become one of the few countries to maintain close relations with it.
In recent years, ASEAN has continued to exclude Myanmar from its leaders’ summits. Member countries remain divided on whether Myanmar should be allowed to fully participate in ASEAN affairs while the domestic situation remains volatile.