China gears up to hail Aung San Suu Kyi

 Ahead of Myanmar’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s maiden visit to China next week, Chinese official media on Sunday sought to mend bilateral ties in the wake of tensions on the international border, saying Beijing bears no grudge over past unpleasantness.

“China welcomes anyone with friendly intentions and it bears no grudge for past unpleasantness,” state-run Xinhua news agency said in a commentary on Suu Kyi’s visit in an apparent reference to Chinese backing of the Myanmar military junta which kept her under house arrest for about 21 years making her one of the most prominent political prisoners.

Describing Suu Kyi, 69, as a “renowned politician in Myanmar and beyond,” Xinhua said China hopes her five-day visit <g data-gr-id="14">staring</g> from June 10 will “enhance mutual understanding and promote cooperation and friendly relations between China and Myanmar”.

She will be visiting China on the invitation of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC).

“The invitation extended to Suu Kyi is proof that the CPC stands ready to engage with any political party as long as they are willing to promote the sound development of relations with China,” it said, acknowledging that China-Myanmar relations “since 2010 have witnessed some disturbances, with several key cooperation projects, including a water dam and a copper mine, being brought to a standstill”.

While Myanmar under junta relied on Beijing for economic and diplomatic support when it was under Western sanctions before embarking on political reforms four years ago, the Myanmar reform process made Beijing nervous as the government that replaced the military junta appeared to be courting US and India.