China's Foreign Ministry announced that President Xi Jinping met with Myanmar's Min Aung Hlaing at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the 16th during Min Aung Hlaing's state visit, his first trip to China since assuming the presidency in April.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, President Xi emphasized that Beijing places Myanmar relations at the top of its neighborhood diplomacy. The two countries have jointly advocated and practiced the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence since establishing diplomatic ties 76 years ago.

Both sides reaffirmed that the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor is a flagship project of Belt and Road cooperation and agreed to steadily advance major projects on the basis of ensuring safety and security. Global Times reported that expanding cooperation in energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing was also discussed.

The Irrawaddy offered a contrasting view, noting that Myanmar is marking the 76th anniversary in what some observers describe as a condition approaching that of a client state. China has maintained a diplomatic posture reflecting its strategic and economic interests amid the ongoing civil conflict inside Myanmar.

China also expressed support for Myanmar's new government in balancing security and development imperatives and finding a development path suited to its national conditions.