China has held talks with nine Myanmar political parties in Yangon to assess public opinion about Beijing and explore ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation amid growing anti-China sentiment and renewed US engagement with Myanmar’s military regime.

The meeting took place on October 13 and was led by Peng Xiubin, director-general of the Chinese Communist Party’s International Liaison Department. Representatives of nine parties, including the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party, the National Unity Party, the People’s Party and the Arakan Front Party, attended the discussions.

According to The Irrawaddy, Chinese officials raised five key issues, including Myanmar public attitudes toward China, bilateral relations, economic cooperation, peace and domestic challenges. Some participants said sections of the Myanmar public remain sceptical of Beijing and urged China to demonstrate more clearly how its involvement benefits the country.

Anti-China sentiment has grown since the military coup in February 2021, partly over Beijing’s support for successive military administrations through arms supplies, technology and diplomatic backing. China remains a major investor in Myanmar and a key supplier of military equipment to the junta.

The meeting also included Htet Aung Kyaw and Sai Kyaw Nyunt, leaders of the National Democratic Force and the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, respectively. Both parties were dissolved after refusing to follow the military regime’s electoral roadmap. A participant said the two leaders attended in their personal capacities after receiving individual invitations.

Discussions also covered trade, agricultural technical assistance and the reopening of the Muse–Mandalay highway, a key route for cross-border commerce. China was urged to help restore trade links disrupted by conflict in northern Shan State and restrictions on Chinese imports imposed by the military authorities.

Saw Han Aye, chairperson of the People’s Pioneer Party, said her party had asked Beijing to increase investment and reopen trade routes as soon as possible. Chinese officials reportedly expressed interest in expanding exchanges with Myanmar political groups.

The talks came as Washington resumed direct contact with Myanmar’s military leadership. US officials held a second round of discussions with regime representatives in Tokyo earlier this month, following a September meeting between US Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research Michael Vance and junta chief Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw.

However, participants said the Chinese delegation did not raise the recent US-Myanmar engagement, focusing instead on gathering their views on China and bilateral relations.

Beijing has repeatedly denied interfering in Myanmar’s internal affairs, but its role in the country’s post-coup political and military landscape remains controversial. Tensions intensified in 2024 when China pressed ethnic armed groups in northern Shan State to halt offensives that threatened the military regime’s control.

China’s influence over ethnic armed groups and its support for the junta continue to fuel debate over Beijing’s role in Myanmar’s conflict and its efforts to maintain influence amid growing international engagement with the country.

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