Than Shwe to visit China

Monday, 06 September 2010 14:33 Mizzima News

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Burmese strongman and former Senior General Than Shwe is preparing for a five-day state visit to China.

According to the Chinese news service Xinhua, the visit, on which Than Shwe will be accompanied by his wife, is scheduled for September 7 to 11.

Having last visited China in 2003 as chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), the upcoming sojourn comes shortly after several senior members of Burma’s armed forces abruptly retired their fatigues and declared themselves civilians in apparent preparation for the country’s November general election.

In recent months China has rampantly increased its investment into Burma, already pumping in over 8 billion dollars during the current fiscal year. The sum is two-thirds Burma’s total investment over the past two decades.

Of the recent infusion of investment, 5 billion dollars is directed at hydropower projects, with the oil and gas sector benefiting from a further 2.15 billion dollars.

Xinhua reports the latest tête-à-tête comes at the behest of an invitation extended to the Burmese leader from Chinese President Hu Jintao.

Than Shwe had also visited China in 1996 as chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council, the junta’s precursor to the SPDC.

The last high-level Chinese mission to Burma was led by vice president Xi Jinping in December of last year.

In July of this year Than Shwe travelled to India, where he was feted by Indian leaders and signed several agreements, including economic concessions, aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries.