Burmese leader General Than Shwe is visiting China this week. He arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a five-day state visit.

Chinese state media said Than Shwe will hold talks with Hu Jintao and other Chinese leaders.

 

They'll discuss international and regional issues, and exchange views on strengthening ties.

The Chinese regime is the Burmese military junta’s third largest trading partner and has pumped about $10 billion U.S. dollars into the country since Burma opened for investment in the late 1980s.

 

Chinese leader Wen Jiabao visited Burma in June, and the two countries signed 15 documents on cooperation in areas such as a natural gas pipeline, a hydro power station and foreign aid.

This is Than Shwe’s third visit to China since he became ruler of the military junta 18 years ago.