Burma junta leader visits China

Burma is grateful for 14 years of Chinese support

Burma's junta leader Senior General Than Shwe has arrived in China for a six day visit to Burma's most important economic and military ally.

He is expected to hold talks with President Jiang Zemin and with the president's expected successor Hu Jintao, who took over as Communist Party leader in November.

Beijing has been one of Rangoon's closest allies since 1988 when the army seized power in a bloody coup.

Burma is shunned by the West over its human rights record and the junta's failure to hand power to the pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy overwhelmingly won 1990 elections.

The generals refused to hand power to Aung San Suu Kyi

The BBC's Larry Jagan says the fact that Than Shwe is making this rare trip abroad emphasises the importance Rangoon places on the relationship with China.

Burma has relied heavily on China for economic support and weapons. China is officially Burma's third most important trading partner after Singapore and Thailand - though the figure probably underestimates informal trade across their shared border.

China also remains Burma's most important defence ally, supplying most of its military hardware and training.

Reform urged

Analysts say China has boosted its influence in Burma, also known as Myanmar, since it offers a potential path to the Indian Ocean. It is also thought to be keen to offset India's growing links with Burma.

China has stood steadfastly behind Burma, though in the past year senior Chinese Government officials have been urging reform. They have told the Burmese that they must introduce political and economic reforms or face the increasing possibility of social unrest.

Our correspondent says China's leaders are likely to reiterate that message during Than Shwe's visit.

The Burmese leader is accompanied by his wife and a 63-member delegation that includes military intelligence chief General Khin Nyunt, officials said.

China's official Xinhua news agency said Than Shwe was to hold talks with Mr Jiang, Mr Hu and Premier Zhu Rongji before visiting the south-western city of Chengdu.