Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Border stability to top China-Myanmar talks
|
Edition:
U.S.
Article
Save
Email
Print
Reprints
Most Popular
Most Shared
UPDATE 1-Drug data mining ban unlikely in Senate health bill
14 Dec 2009
Iconix breaking off talks with Playboy: report
12:33am EST
YouTube looks at subscriptions, more ad dollars
15 Dec 2009
Boeing Dreamliner touches down after first flight
| Video
15 Dec 2009
Fewer Americans worried by climate change: survey
15 Dec 2009
Branson offers Lotus F1 boss a stewardess challenge
15 Dec 2009
U.S. forgoes billions in tax on Citi: report
15 Dec 2009
President Obama's speech at Nobel ceremony
10 Dec 2009
Wamu asks to probe Fed over collapse
15 Dec 2009
UPDATE 1-Drug data mining ban unlikely in Senate health bill
14 Dec 2009
Border stability to top China-Myanmar talks
Ben Blanchard and Aung Hla Tun
Tue Dec 15, 2009 10:36pm EST
Factbox
Five facts about China-Myanmar relations
Tue, Dec 15 2009
BEIJING/YANGON (Reuters) - Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping arrives this week in Myanmar where he is expected to meet the regime's reclusive top leader and press for assurances there will be no more unrest on their shared border.
World
The military-ruled former Burma has few foreign friends due to its human rights record and detention of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi ahead of an election next year. That gives extra significance to a visit by Xi, seen as a frontrunner to succeed President Hu Jintao.
China is one of Myanmar's rare diplomatic backers, often coming to the rescue when it is pressed by Western governments over issues such as the 2007 crackdown on pro-democracy protests led by Buddhist monks.
But relations have been strained of late.
In August, Myanmar's army overran Kokang, which lies along the border with the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan and was controlled for years by an ethnic Chinese militia. The action pushed thousands of refugees into China and angering Beijing.
A second, 20,000-strong ethnic Chinese militia, the United Wa State Army (UWSA), denounced as a narcotics cartel by the United States, has refused to disarm and is preparing for an imminent attack by the Myanmar army, activists and local media say.
"If there was renewed fighting with some of the other groups, the potential refugee flows would be much greater," said David Mathieson, Myanmar researcher for New York-based Human Rights Watch.
"I think they would also be concerned about increased drug shipments coming from that part of Burma into China, because a lot of these groups have just been liquidating their inventory to try and get money to prepare for fighting, and some of it does go through China."
RARE MEETING WITH TOP GENERAL
China's Foreign Ministry has given few details of the visit set for Saturday and Sunday. But a Myanmar government official told Reuters that Xi was scheduled to meet General Than Shwe, the leader of the junta, who rarely receives foreign dignitaries.
Problems along the border, where Myanmar is trying to coax ethnic militias to end decades of fighting and form a border guard force under government jurisdiction, will likely top issues to be discussed with Xi as will next year's election.
"Matters concerning the transformation of ethnic armed groups like the UWSA and the upcoming elections could be on the top the agenda," the official said on condition of anonymity.
The election, already roundly dismissed by rights activists as a sham, are the last stop on Myanmar's "road map" to democracy, but it remains unclear what civilian rule would look like after almost 50 years of army-led government.
The visit will also give Xi a chance to get to know the leaders of a country which China sees as a vital strategic partner ahead of his own expected ascendancy to the presidency.
"He is expected to succeed President Hu in 2012 and I think the upcoming visit of his to Myanmar is very important for cementing existing ties," one Yangon-based Asian diplomat told Reuters.
The neighbors have significant business ties. Bilateral trade grew more than one-quarter last year to about $2.63 billion.
In late October, China's CNPC started building a crude oil port in Myanmar, part of a pipeline project aimed at cutting out the long detour oil cargoes take through the congested and strategically vulnerable Malacca Strait.
China's overriding concern is a stable Myanmar to give its landlocked southwestern provinces access to the Indian Ocean as well as natural resources like oil, gas and timber.
"The way political reform is going in Burma does suit China's interests, because basically it's going to be a civilian-front parliament for continued military rule," said Mathieson. (Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Ron Popeski)
World
More from Reuters
"Polluters are given rights to continue their dirty habits"
A climate change scientist blasts proposals for a cap and trade system, arguing it allows dirty industries to continue polluting, instead of rewarding innovation. Full Article | Full Coverage
Climate Conference
The heat is on
Farmers in northwest China are living with lost crops, dry wells and frequent droughts. Their resulting poverty is directly linked to climate change. Full Article
China exports to help green growth
Rainy Taiwan faces water shortage
Green Business
Pictures that defined a decade
A woman's grief amid the tsunami devastation and one woman's fight against police in the Amazon are among the indelible Reuters images of the last 10 years. Slideshow
Seventh selection in the series
Do you agree with our choices?
Pictures
© Copyright 2009 Thomson Reuters
Editorial Editions:
Africa
Arabic
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
Reuters
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Help
Journalism Handbook
Archive
Site Index
Video Index
Analyst Research
Mobile
Newsletters
RSS
Podcasts
Widgets
Your View
Labs
Thomson Reuters
Copyright
Disclaimer
Privacy
Professional Products
Professional Products Support
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Careers
Online Products
Acquisitions Monthly
Buyouts.com
Buyouts Europe:
Buyouts Conferences:
Venture Capital Journal
ECVJ
International Financing Review
International Securitisation Report
Project Finance International
PEhub.com
PE Week
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Wednesday, 16 December 2009 Hamas blames Israel for breakdown in Schalit talks
Berlusconi to curb his public duties after attack
YouTube looks at subscriptions, more ad dollars
Wall Street Journal launches Japanese website
Latin Americans, EU strike historic deal on banana trade
Contractor arrest may ruffle Obama's Cuba overture
|
Microsoft suspends Juku amid plagiarism charges
Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Red Cross sees Taliban captives in Afghanistan
Bullock, Streep, Damon Score Double Nods At The Golden Globes
US industrial production regains vigor, up 0.8%
S.Korea's LG aims to sell 400,000 3D TVs next year
Jay-Z's 40/40 Club Sued For Beating Patron
Germany's largest-ever class action suit kicks off
Sun Micro wins intellectual property cases
Grammy Nominee Buju Banton Arrested On Drug Charges
Leona Lewis' Attacker Detained Under The Mental Health Act
NATO to seek Russian kit, trainers for Afghanistan
|
Mexico's Calderon seeks broad electoral reform
|
"CSI: Miami" Star Jonathan Togo Arrested For Domestic Violence
Courtney Love Loses Custody Of Daughter Frances Bean Cobain
French minister tells Muslims to speak properly
|
S.Korea's LG aims to sell 400,000 3D TVs next year
"30 Rock" Actor Grizz Chapman Needs Kidney Transplant
Kid Rock And Dave Grohl Sue Small Town Bar Over Copyright Infringement
Taylor Swift Donates $250K To Public Schools On Her 20th Birthday
Arlington, Va., educators cancel Taliban debate
Jury: Naveed Haq guilty in Jewish center shooting
Snow storm stalls search for missing Ore. climbers
Blast kills 33 near lawmaker's home in Pakistan
Mass. 2nd-grader sent home for crucifix drawing
Suicide blast kills 33 in crowded Pakistani market
Google investing for growth in display ads
|
3 RI cops shot in drug raid released from hospital
YouTube looks at subscriptions, more ad dollars
|
China official's royal audience stirs ire in Japan
Schools, roads close as heavy rain drenches South
Comcast rolls out Web TV service nationally
|
Gotta love it! NYC holds condom contest
Blast kills 20 near minister's home in Pakistan
Gitmo detainees not free in US after prison
Japan to halt new missile defence spending: media
Spymaster sees Israel as world cyberwar leader
|
'Goodfellas' mobster blames alcohol for arrest
Philippines wins marathon double at SE.Asian Games
Lieberman indicates support for health bill
Myanmar allows Suu Kyi to meet ailing party elders
Suicide bombing blast near former VP home in Kabul
China says Uighur asylum seekers are criminals
Pakistan market bombing kills 27: official
Chinese firms slam UN wind farm rulings
'Up In the Air', 'Avatar' head Golden Globes contenders
Golden Globe nominations announced
Golden Globe animated film nominations announced
Quirky Glee hits high note at Golden Globes
|
Cameron and Weaver on 'Aliens,' and 'Avatar'
Quirky "Glee" hits high note at Golden Globes
Lindsay Lohan's father arrested in NY
Lil Wayne heads to NY jail in February
Binge drinking soars among German youth, data show
'Up In the Air', 'Avatar' head Golden Globes contenders
Spanish catering industry protests planned smoking ban
Madrid's Prado woos art lovers despite crisis
'Goodfellas' mobster blames alcohol for arrest
CORRECTED: "Nanny Returns" to New York's now troubled elite
U.S. House passes Iran gasoline sanctions bill
NATO chief in first Russia visit to rebuild trust
For tsunami's Baby 81, fame brought misfortune
|
Iranian elections top Twitter topic for 2009
Britain urgently seeks changes after Livni arrest warrant
Boeing's Dreamliner in maiden flight
BA launches legal action to stop Christmas strike
YouTube leads Google charge in display ad market
WITNESS: Failed state? Try Pakistan's M2 motorway
|
Earliest proven case of leprosy found in Israel
Iran students hold rival rallies, bazaar closes
Twitter gets more business friendly
Baby among five killed in Iraq attacks
Boeing's 787 Dreamliner takes off on maiden flight
Cocaine and rebels haunt Peru's remote jungle
|
Miami Herald asking online readers for contributions
Israel responsible for delay in freeing Shalit: Hamas chief
Border stability to top China-Myanmar talks
|
OMG! Text messaging up sharply in US since 2003: study
Iran ex-rebels defy police orders to quit Iraq camp
US-TECH Summary
Hundreds evacuated after quake rocks central Italy
|
Borders jumps into digital books fray
USGS turns to Twitter for earthquake reports
Italy to beef up security after Berlusconi assault
|
Spymaster sees Israel as world cyberwar leader
Mobile sales to fall 0.7 percent this year: Gartner
Car hits horse-drawn Va. holiday hayride; 12 hurt
Pittsburgh City Council set to vote on tuition tax
FBI squad to assist NYC terror trial prosecutors
Vietnam asks China to return seized fishing boats
Report: NKorea presses for lifting of UN sanctions
Borders jumps into digital books fray
|
US House approves Iran energy sector sanctions bill
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
Attorney: Missing Utah mom's husband met with cops
Police kill separatist rebel leader in Papua
80-year-old sailor rescued in Gulf of Mexico
Smog sinks Hong Kong's famous skyline
Border stability to top China-Myanmar talks
Envoy delivered Obama letter to NKorea leader: report
Man pleads not guilty to 1981 Calif. triple murder
One woman's fight against pollution in China
Google phone with T-Mobile contract in Jan: source
|
New Zealand teen flashes driver, gets hit by car
Asia leaves its mark on 2009 in sports
Pakistani rupee trades at record low of 84.55
Even top Hollywood directors feel like outsiders
WRAPUP 1-S.Korea signals exit strategy, mortgage squeeze
US presses for Asia-Pacific trade deal
FACTBOX-South Korea to tighten banking rules
China: foreign direct investment up 32 pct in Nov
Taiwan dlr eases on stocks ahead of US Fed meeting
Seoul shares turn lower; techs, shipbuilders weigh
S.Korea bonds fall on U.S. lead, strong shares
Golden Globe nominations boost underdogs
|
S.Korea won down; fin ministry to report 2010 focus
Even top Hollywood directors feel like outsiders
|
"Avatar" starts long march toward profitability
Seoul shares open flat;tech exporters lend support
ABBA, Stooges to join Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
|
Feast or famine for Golden Globe nominees
Avatar starts long march toward profitability
|
Even top Hollywood directors feel like outsiders
Metallica, Slayer to tour together
|
Washington city votes to legalize gay marriage
Feast or famine for Golden Globe nominees
|
Smog sinks Hong Kong's famous skyline
Mundane Morgans wastes talented cast
|
Europeans dominate Golden Globe foreign film group
|
Michael Jackson estate administrators seek payment
Fitness guru Jack LaLanne undergoes surgery in LA
Scorsese, Polanski thrillers join Berlin lineup
|
True Blood finds its sexy werewolf
|
CORRECTED: Europeans dominate Golden Globe foreign film group
'Dance' finale expects a well-behaved Lambert
Scorsese, Polanski thrillers join Berlin lineup
Abbas says peace deal possible in 6 months
Architect of Russia's shock therapy reform dead
US university coding future of news
Century-old butter found in Scott's Antarctic hut
Iran tests long-range missile, raises ire of West
Iran tests missile, warns opposition leaders
|
Bing app for iPhones hits App Store
PLO keeps Abbas as Palestinian president
Fed set to keep extra support for fragile US economy
Pakistani Supreme Court reconsiders amnesty ruling
|
Afghan surge troops won't target drug crops
|
Kuwait's prime minister survives key vote
Nigerian government sued over president's absence
|
Iran test-fires missile, drawing Western censure
Cyprus seeks Interpol help to find stolen corpse
|
Iran says U.S. fuel sanctions move will fail
Muslim revival brings polygamy, camels to Chechnya
|
Man arrested outside Berlusconi hospital room
|
I shot Guinea leader soldier tells French radio
|
Germany must pay Afghan victims of NATO raid: Lawyer
|
Obama to host new safety chairwoman, NASA chief
Protest erupts in Indian parliament over inflation
Filipino dictator's son open to presidency
Federal Trade Commission sues chip giant Intel
|
Microsoft browser pledge ends EU dispute
|
Study: Sexually active girls at risk of infection
AP source: Obama writes letter to NKorean leader
China's anti-porn drive to run until May
|
Lava flow from Philippine volcano continues: govt
SC legislators consider formal rebuke of governor
Japan PM under fire over delay in US base row
Indonesia police say Papuan rebel commander killed
'You lie!' on Yale list of year's memorable quotes
US calls Japan base delay decision unfortunate
Custody dispute may have led to shooting deaths
Indonesia to separate child inmates from teens
House rushes to finish its work for year
N.Korea's Kim raps foreign hairstyles: report
Myanmar opposition leader meets party elders
Mo. farmers with best land face 2011 tax rise
SPIN METER: No real consensus on bank overhaul
Documents in probe of wayward plane to be released
Banks to get more time on new global rules: report
Thai auto sales growth highest in years: industry
China's Chery dismisses foreign car purchase plans
China defends home grown tech purchase rule
India's Bharti to buy Bangladesh mobile operator
S.Korea bond futures dive on rate hike, Fed fears
Japan enters high-speed train sales race
Swiss won't decide on Polanski extradition until 2010
|
'Glee' cast joyful over Globe nods
Layered cake breathes life back into tiny US island
Metallica, Slayer to tour together
Seychelles getting 'sinking feeling'
Once an underdog, Reitman now an Oscar favorite
Golden Globe nominations boost underdogs
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights