The Myanmar Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs, U Than Swe, met with the Chinese ambassador to Myanmar, Mr. Chen Hai, on 23 October to discuss collaborations between the two countries.

In the meeting, they discussed how to improve "Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership Relations”.

Amongst topics discussed were ongoing bilateral projects that are part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI); ensuring peace, stability and the rule of law in the border areas between China and Myanmar; the repatriation of displaced people to Rakhine State; Chinese support for Myanmar development projects; and collaborating in regional and international affairs.

U Than Swe said that Myanmar is also interested in cooperating with China on major projects, infrastructure development, energy, finance, and improving living conditions. He also emphasised the importance of China's guidance in establishing a strong economic partnership between China and Myanmar.

On his part, Mr. Chen Hai confirmed that China is committed to developing economic ties with Myanmar that will benefit the people of both countries. He said that China would fulfill the agreements made in the meeting, which included collaborating on BRI projects and enhancing the connectivity between the two nations.

Recently, on 17 and 18 October China held the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing to mark 10 years since the start of the BRI project.

Myanmar’s junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing was excluded from the conference. Instead, the Myanmar junta’s Deputy Prime Minister Mya Tun Oo attended the forum. It is believed that China did not invite Min Aung Hlaing because it wanted to avoid global criticism.

The Belt and Road Initiative, launched by China in 2013, is a massive infrastructure and economic development project aimed at connecting China with Europe, Africa, and other parts of Asia. It involves the construction of roads, railways, ports, and other infrastructure to promote trade and cooperation.