Myanmar urged to stem border crimes

FM calls on intl community to respect sovereignty of Southeast Asian nation

China urges Myanmar to take concrete measures to crack down on transnational crimes, including cyber frauds, and rescue abducted or trapped Chinese citizens in a timely manner, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang said during his visit to the country.

According to a news release issued on Wednesday, Qin said that criminal organizations have been pulling off cyber and telecom frauds in the border areas of Myanmar and severely infringing on the interests of Chinese citizens there. The Chinese government seeks stringent action against such crimes, he said.

The news release quoted the Myanmar side as saying that the country would like to enhance cooperation with law enforcement agencies and security departments of China to combat crimes in border areas, including online fraud, to maintain order.

Myanmar is Qin's first stop during his four-day Asia tour, which will also take him to India to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

When meeting with Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing in Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday, Qin said that China supports Myanmar in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, and calls for the international community to respect Myanmar's sovereignty.

Qin, who is the highest ranking Chinese official to visit Myanmar since the country's military initiated a major cabinet reshuffle in February 2021, said that China sincerely hopes Myanmar achieves stability and national development.

China supports Myanmar in advancing its political transition process, and backs relevant parties in the country to properly address their differences and seek national reconciliation under the constitutional and legal framework, Qin said.

The international community should play a constructive role in helping Myanmar achieve peace and reconciliation, he added.

Min Aung Hlaing said that Myanmar appreciates China's objective and impartial position on Myanmar-related issues, where China is welcome to play a greater role.

Myanmar attaches great importance to protecting the safety of Chinese nationals and institutions in the country, and is always ready to cooperate with China to maintain peace in the border areas of the two countries, he said.

Just a day before the talks, the Chinese state councilor met with United Nations special envoy on Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer in Beijing and said the Myanmar issue is complex and has no "quick fix" given its intertwined internal and external factors.

Qin called on the international community to respect the mediation efforts of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and promote the implementation of ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar, including an immediate end to violence in the country, dialogue among all parties and humanitarian assistance by ASEAN.

He also emphasized the need to act prudently and pragmatically to prevent the escalation of the conflict and spillover of the crisis.

Zhai Kun, a professor at the School of International Studies and deputy director of the Institute of Area Studies at Peking University, said he has noted Qin's diplomatic efforts and visit to the border areas between China and Myanmar right before Qin's trip to the neighboring country.

The foreign minister's remarks are in line with the diplomatic approach China has been taking in dealing with international affairs, which features adopting an objective and fair stance and promoting peaceful talks, Zhai said.

During his meeting with the Myanmar leader, Qin also said that Beijing will continue to assist Myanmar's development within its scope, accelerate key cooperation projects in the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, and carry out cooperation on agriculture, education and healthcare.

Zhai said the change in Myanmar's situation has challenged the policy continuity regarding economic cooperation, which affected the advancement of projects.

To steadily promote bilateral cooperation, China should continue to support all parties in Myanmar in properly handling differences, offer assistance within its capacity and push forward the substantive cooperation in the fields of border trade and people's livelihoods, Zhai added.

Xinhua contributed to this story.