U Kyaw Moe Tun, Myanmar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said on 8 April at the 2025 substantive session of the UN Disarmament Commission held at the UN Headquarters in New York that although a massive earthquake in Sagaing, Myanmar, caused thousands of deaths and widespread destruction, the military continues to carry out intense airstrikes and bombings not only in the earthquake-affected areas but also across the entire country targeting civilian populations. 1
Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun also urged all United Nations member states to halt the flow of ammunition, military weapons, jet fuel, and dual-use items—materials that can be used for both military and civilian purposes—to the military junta, in order to save the lives and alleviate the suffering of the people of Myanmar.
On 17 April 2025, Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia and the current rotating Chair of ASEAN, met with military leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at a heavily secured hotel in downtown Bangkok.
In early April, the military leader attended the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit held in Bangkok, Thailand. Less than a month after the trip, he made a second visit to Bangkok. 2
According to a statement released by the military council, the meeting included cordial discussions on continuing united ASEAN support for Myanmar’s earthquake recovery efforts and further collaboration between Myanmar and the ASEAN community. The meeting between the Malaysian Prime Minister, who is the current ASEAN Chair, and Myanmar’s military leader was also attended by former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. 3
On 18 April, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, held his first-ever virtual meeting with Mahn Winn Khaing Thann, the Prime Minister of Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG). In the meeting, they had a discussion on issues related to enhancing relations with ASEAN Chair and the ASEAN member states and the effective delivery and distribution of humanitarian assistance to the people of Myanmar. 4
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in separate discussions with the leaders of the Myanmar military council and the National Unity Government (NUG), assured journalists on 18 April, as reported by Bernama, that he had secured commitments regarding the extension of the ceasefire period in Myanmar and ensuring the safety of humanitarian aid workers. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim welcomed the recent actions taken to ease tensions in Myanmar, including the release of nearly 5,000 prisoners including political prisoners. 5
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also shared on his social media platform, X, that his online meeting with NUG Prime Minister Mahn Winn Khaing Thann lasted for 45 minutes. During the meeting, they discussed the provision of humanitarian assistance and the possibility of future in-person talks in Malaysia at an appropriate time. He emphasized the importance of building trust and reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to continue playing a leading role in facilitating peace and reconciliation, and efforts for the benefit of the people of Myanmar, ASEAN would work to ensure that all relevant political stakeholders in Myanmar would have the opportunity to engage in dialogue.
On 16 April, the National Unity Government (NUG) along with other resistance forces issued a statement opposing the planned meeting between Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Myanmar’s military leader.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said during the ministry’s regular press conference on 21 April that China adheres to a policy of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs with regard to the situation in Myanmar. This was in response to a question from an AFP reporter regarding China’s involvement in mediating efforts to help the military regain control over Lashio Township. 6
“China and Myanmar are friendly neighbors. China’s position on the Myanmar issue is very clear. We follow the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs and support Myanmar in safeguarding independence, sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity. In addition, we support various parties in Myanmar in carrying out friendly consultation toward political reconciliation, and support Myanmar in resuming the political transition process,” said Guo Jiakun.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said during a regular press briefing on 22 April that the Chinese government has sent a ceasefire monitoring group to Myanmar to oversee the ceasefire, with China acting as an intermediary between the military council and the resistance forces. 7
Sources close to the situation have reported that Chinese special envoy to Myanmar, Deng Xijun, arrived in Lashio at the time when Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) troops withdrew from the town in northern Shan State and, handing control back to the military council.
1 Military continues to carry out inhumane atrocities by conducting airstrikes on earthquake-affected areas, ambassador says, DVB, 10 April 2025
2 Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim meets with junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at a hotel in downtown Bangkok, BBC, 8 April 2025
3 The military leader meets with the rotating ASEAN chair, Malaysian Prime Minister, junta-controlled newspaper, 18 April 2025
4 Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim holds first official online meeting with NUG Prime Minister Mahn Winn Khaing Thann, NUG facebook, 18 April 2025
5 ASEAN chair officially held separate meetings for the first time with the military council and the NUG, Myanmar Now, 18 April 2025
6 China says, it upholds a policy of non-interference in internal affairs regarding the Lashio issue, Irrawaddy, 22 April 2025
7 China says it has sent a ceasefire monitoring group to Myanmar, DVB, 22 April 2025