Diplomatic relations between China and Myanmar are set for a key milestone this week, as Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing prepares to embark on a five-day state visit to China starting Monday, according to a recent announcement from China’s Foreign Ministry. This trip marks Min Aung Hlaing’s first official visit to China since he was sworn in as Myanmar’s president in April this year, and is widely expected to strengthen long-standing fraternal ties and expand practical collaboration between the two neighboring nations.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian confirmed on Friday that Chinese President Xi Jinping will hold official talks with Min Aung Hlaing during the visit. Separately, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislative body, will also meet with the Myanmar leader.
In remarks at a regular press briefing, Lin emphasized that China and Myanmar share a deep history as traditional friendly neighbors and have committed to building a bilateral community with a shared future. Over the 75 years since the two countries established formal diplomatic relations, both sides have consistently upheld the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence—a framework they co-initiated. Through decades of standing together through challenges, supporting one another, and advancing collective cooperation, bilateral relations have delivered substantial, mutually beneficial progress.
“Through this visit, China looks forward to working alongside Myanmar to carry forward the traditional ‘pauk-phaw’ fraternal friendship, deepen the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, achieve more tangible outcomes in advancing the China-Myanmar community with a shared future, and bring greater welfare to the people of both countries,” Lin added.
The upcoming state visit builds on a string of recent high-level diplomatic exchanges between the two countries. Earlier this month, Myanmar Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe traveled to Beijing for talks, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid an official visit to Myanmar back in April.
Economic ties between the two nations have already shown strong growth in recent years: China has held the position of Myanmar’s largest trading partner for multiple consecutive years, and official Chinese data shows bilateral trade volume hit $19.4 billion in 2025, representing a 19.1% year-on-year increase.
Just this week, during an appearance at the opening ceremony of 2026 Chinese Film Week in Myanmar’s capital Nay Pyi Taw, Min Aung Hlaing expressed public gratitude to China for its support, per Myanmar’s presidential office. He specifically thanked China for dispatching emergency humanitarian assistance after a recent major earthquake struck Myanmar, as well as for its continued long-term support for Myanmar’s social development across key sectors including education, public health, social welfare, and rural development.
Zhou Fangyin, a professor specializing in international relations at Sun Yat-sen University based in Guangzhou, Guangdong, noted that the development of China-Myanmar relations has long been rooted in the core principles of mutual respect and mutual benefit. The strong political trust established by both sides over decades has laid a solid, enabling foundation for expanding practical cooperation in all areas moving forward.