CNI News
14 May 2025
The meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was further proof that China stands behind the SAC, Colonel Khun Okkar, chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO-NCA/S), told CNI News.
They two attended the 80th Anniversary Victory Celebration of the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945 that was held in Moscow, Russia and met on May 9, 2025.
The SAC had been requesting permission to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping for quite some time and the SAC Chairman was allowed to meet with Xi at that event, said chairman of the PNLO-NCA/S Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News, adding that he heard that China was to enter and control until Mandalay if the SAC could not control the routes where Chinese projects are located.
" In terms of policy, China has long supported the SAC. So, China planned to make the SAC retake Lashio which the SAC had lost control of. If the SAC cannot control the route, China could enter and control until Mandalay, I heard. The SAC Chairman was not invited to China to meet, but when the two of them were in Moscow, they met during the highline. In any case, China has proved again that it stands behind the SAC." he said.
President Xi Jinping said during a meeting with the SAC Chairman on May 9 that China has always supported Myanmar's development, sovereignty, and stability and will continue to assist Myanmar in its development and peace efforts.
Xi also said Myanmar must ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, organizations, and projects in Myanmar. China-Myanmar affairs analyst Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw told CNI News that China may have been alerted to the SAC's actions as it has concerns about security issues.
" This military regime is not very reliable. China seems to warn in advance because it has known that this military council is not very reliable. Sometimes, pro-military groups such as Ma Ba Tha protest against China. China has always wanted Myanmar to be stable and peaceful. It doesn't want its investments to be hurt. Based on it, China will discuss. And then, China promised the SAC it will help Myanmar with the earthquake disaster. China is trying to mediate to cease fire. I think China may have urged the SAC to reduce airstrikes while it persuade both the SAC and opposition groups at the same time. China's ambition is always the same. It wants Myanmar to be stable and peaceful as well as develop. And it wants its Silk Road Project, a large-scale infrastructure development strategy to be successful as well." he said.
China has been moving closer to Myanmar since the political changes in Bangladesh, after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had fled and the pro-American government led by Mohammad Yunus came to power.
The SAC has met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on several occasions, but this was the first time it met with President Xi Jinping, and the SAC reiterated its commitment to holding elections in December.
