Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is
to lead a delegation to China for the first time next week.
The visit
comes amid strained ties between the two neighbors over conflicts near their
border and months ahead of a general election in Myanmar.
Observers
said the trip underlines the changes in both countries' policies, with Beijing
engaging in exchanges with various sectors other than just the government, and
the party headed by Suu Kyi expected to continue reaching out to Beijing if it
wins the election.
President
Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang will meet Suu Kyi, who heads Myanmar's
National League for Democracy, during the trip from June 10 to 14, Nyan Win,
the party's secretary and spokesman, told Reuters.
On
Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei hailed exchanges between
China and various parties in Myanmar, saying he hoped such communication can be
strengthened.
Fan
Hongwei, an expert on Southeast Asian studies at Xiamen University, said
stability in Myanmar and Chinese investment would be high on the agenda for Suu
Kyi's visit.
Relations
between the two countries were strained in March when a bomb dropped by a
Myanmar warplane killed four people and injured nine others in Lincang, Yunnan
province. Myanmar later apologised.
Xu
Liping, an expert on Southeast Asian affairs at the Chinese Academy of Social
Sciences, said that after some setbacks, Beijing is "seeking an
environment" for its investment in Myanmar.
Myanmar's
reformist government has sought to reduce its heavy dependence on China since
taking office in 2011 and has suspended a multibillion-dollar Chinese-led dam
project. Ties have warmed recently, and both governments also signed more than
a dozen cooperation deals last year.
Xu said
whether Suu Kyi's party wins the November election or not, she has an undoubted
influence on the country.
"China
doesn't take sides in Myanmar's political struggle, but extends exchanges to
it. The message from Suu Kyi to the world is that her party, if elected, will
sustain traditional ties and upgrade cooperation with China."
Zhao
Shengnan
Business & Investment Opportunities
Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd (SBC) is incorporated
in Singapore since 1994.
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