China welcomes Min Aung Hlaing as Myanmar president as genocide case is filed against him in Indonesia

China welcomes Min Aung Hlaing as Myanmar president

Min Aung Hlaing was congratulated by China, Russia, Belarus and Nicaragua after his ascension to Burma’s presidency following a vote in the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, Burma’s bicameral legislature, on Friday. Min Aung Hlaing led a military coup on Feb. 1, 2021 that ousted the democratically elected National League for Democracy (NLD) government and jailed State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint.

China’s President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Min Aung Hlaing on April 3, stating that he is “willing” to work with Burma’s new president for the “benefits of the people of both countries and regional peace.” Deng Xijun, China’s Foreign Ministry Special Envoy for Asian Affairs, told a press briefing in Naypyidaw on Dec. 29 that Burma’s 2025-26 elections were an agreement between Min Aung Hlaing and Xi Jinping.

China’s Vice-President Han Zheng congratulated regime Prime Minister Nyo Saw and Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) lawmaker Nan Ni Ni Aye after being named vice-presidents on April 3. Amnesty International and Burma Campaign UK warned that Min Aung Hlaing becoming president won’t stop the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing an arrest warrant requested by its Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan in November 2024. Read more

Stay tuned to DVB English News on YouTube for our feature video podcast explainer this Friday on how Min Aung Hlaing became president

Myanmar sailors await passage through the Strait of Hormuz

A Myanmar sailor whose ship has been anchored in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) told DVB that they have been instructed by the Emiratis to follow strict security guidelines while awaiting to cross the Strait of Hormuz from the Persian Gulf into the Gulf of Oman. Around 150 ships are anchored in the UAE awaiting passage, according to the sailor.

“The [person who organizes the freight on the ship] has ordered our ship to wait,” a Myanmar sailor in the UAE told DVB on the condition of anonymity. Sailors are concerned about their ships being hit during the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran. Tehran blocked ships from entering the Strait of Hormuz on March 3 – three days after attacks began on Feb. 28.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime checkpoint, serving as a vital trade route for approximately 20 per cent of the world’s oil. It has been listed as a danger zone by the Joint War Committee (JWC) on March 11 due to the war in the region, which has led to higher security risks for maritime navigation. Read more