Myanmar military chief meets Xi Jinping amid ongoing crisis

In the latest significant diplomatic engagement, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the chief of Myanmar's military government, met with President Xi Jinping of China for the first time since seizing power in February 2021. This meeting took place on May 9, 2025, in Moscow during the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. State-run media outlets reported that Xi Jinping expressed China's commitment to assist Myanmar in recovery efforts following the devastating earthquake that struck in March 2025, killing over 3,700 individuals and injuring more than 5,100 others. Both leaders also discussed enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation to promote regional stability and peace. China's strategic alliance with Myanmar's military government has been increasingly evident as Beijing seeks to stabilize its neighbor amid ongoing civil strife and humanitarian crises. The military's unprecedented takeover from the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi has faced international condemnation, resulting in sanctions from Western nations. In contrast, China has strengthened ties with the military regime, largely due to mutual interests in trade and security amidst rising tensions along their shared 890-mile border. Recent reports indicate that China is Myanmar's largest trading partner, heavily investing in infrastructure, oil, gas, and mining sectors. The humanitarian situation in Myanmar has worsened significantly due to the earthquake, exacerbating existing issues from the civil conflicts that have displaced over three million people and left nearly 20 million in need of assistance. The United Nations has characterized the ongoing conditions as a dire humanitarian crisis, taxing both the local population and foreign relief efforts. Recent military offensives by the coalition known as the Three Brotherhood Alliance have destabilized the region further, demonstrating China's influence by pressuring rebel organizations to lay down arms. Since the earthquake, a fragile ceasefire brokered by China has been met with continued hostilities, prompting Beijing to intervene by tightening control over border movements and supply lines. This action aimed to curb armed confrontations and restore some measure of order. The implications of this summit between Min Aung Hlaing and Xi Jinping extend beyond mere diplomatic formality; they highlight China’s growing role as a stabilizing force in Myanmar while continuing to engage with a government largely ostracized by the international community. It signals that despite the internal turmoil, collaborations may persist to address pressing humanitarian needs while maintaining China’s strategic interests in the region.