China-Myanmar ties will continue to prosper

Although Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw abruptly resigned on Wednesday saying he needed a rest, the move, which comes amid reports that the 71-year-old is in ill health, is unlikely to affect the political situation in the Southeast Asian country too much. First Vice-President U Myint Swe, a retired general, will temporarily step into the executive role for now, with Htin Kyaw's successor to be selected by parliament within seven days.

As Myanmar's first civilian president in recent times, Htin Kyaw was elected two years ago after the National League for Democracy, led by Myanmar's charismatic leader Aung San Suu Kyi, won a sweeping victory in the national election.

Since the NLD came to power, China has been the country most visited by Myanmar's leaders, with Suu Kyi visiting once in 2016 and twice in 2017, and Htin Kyaw paying a visit in 2017. Such visits demonstrate the importance Myanmar's civilian government attaches to China-Myanmar ties.