The Southeast Asian nation has been wracked by violence since the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi was ousted in a military coup in February 2021.
Many of the government’s representatives and other oppositionists have since been imprisoned by the military regime.
China “stands with Myanmar in the international arena,” Qin told Min Aung Hlaing, according to a statement from the military junta’s information agency, which also said Qin would stay in the country until Thursday.
The two discussed “diplomatic relations, friendly cooperation, the current situation in Myanmar, cross-border trade, investment and cooperation on energy and electricity,” according to the junta.
Supports rebel groups
Qin also met with the junta-appointed foreign minister and minister for international cooperation.
Several China-backed infrastructure projects are planned to run through northern Myanmar and connect the inland Chinese region of Yunnan with the Indian Ocean.
At the same time, Beijing is also supporting ethnic rebel groups operating on the Myanmar-China border, according to analysts.
Visited border area
Some of these groups have repeatedly clashed with Myanmar’s military since the coup. An alliance of rebels backed by Beijing called in March for help from the Chinese regime to resolve the crisis.
On Tuesday, Qin paid a visit to a border area where he called for “friendship and cooperation” between the two countries.
China has maintained its relations with the reclusive dictatorship, which has been condemned by several countries in the West for its violent crackdown on those who oppose the junta’s rule.