The Southeast Asian country has been in turmoil since the military deposed the government of Aung San Suu Kyi and seized power in 2021.
The coup upended a ten-year experiment with democracy and a subsequent military crackdown has sparked fighting with established ethnic minority armed groups and newer pro-democracy "People's Defence Forces."
China is a major ally and arms supplier to the junta, but analysts say it also maintains ties with ethnic groups fighting the military in Myanmar's northern Shan state.
"We support Myanmar in achieving domestic political reconciliation within the framework of its constitution... and restarting the process of democratic transition through elections," Wang Yi said at a regional meeting in Thailand's Chiang Mai.
The junta has promised to hold fresh elections but has repeatedly delayed a timetable for polls as it struggles to crush opposition to its coup across the country.
Earlier this week Wang met junta chief Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw and "discussed and exchanged views openly regarding... free and fair multi-party general elections," according to the junta.
Myanmar is deeply divided by conflict, with civilians caught up in near-daily bomb blasts, targeted killings and clashes between the military and opponents of its coup.
The military has acknowledged it does not fully control swathes of the country and in February activated a long-dormant conscription law to replenish its ranks.
It has said it will hold polls next year after conducting a nation-wide census.
Last year the junta banned Suu Kyi's widely popular National League for Democracy party that won a landslide in 2020 elections, trouncing its military-backed rival.
The junta has cited unsubstantiated claims of massive fraud during those polls as the reason for its coup.
The United States has said any elections under the junta would be a "sham", while analysts say polls would be targeted by the military's opponents and spark further bloodshed.
Russia, a close ally of the isolated junta, has previously said it backs the generals' plan for polls.
US renews support for Myanmar opposition as China meets junta
Washington (AFP) Aug 16, 2024 - The United States on Friday promised to keep supporting Myanmar's democratic opposition, after China endorsed the transition plans of the ruling military junta.
Two senior US officials met virtually with the shadow National Unity Government -- which consists mostly of lawmakers ousted in a 2021 coup -- as well as key ethnic rebel groups including the Karen National Union.
The US officials "commended the groups on their collaborative efforts to work on establishing a path toward an inclusive federal democratic Burma," the State Department said, using Myanmar's former name.
The US officials "reiterated that the United States will continue to expand direct support and assistance to pro-democracy actors" including to "develop concrete steps towards a full transition to civilian governance that respects the will of the people of Burma," it said.
The US officials in the meeting were Tom Sullivan, who is a senior advisor to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Michael Schiffer, the top official for Asia at the US Agency for International Development.
Myanmar's coup upended a 10-year experiment in democracy that had been backed by the United States. The military takeover has unleashed turmoil, with the army not fully in control in parts of the country.
Beijing is a major ally and arms supplier to the junta, whose chief, Min Aung Hlaing, met earlier this week with China's visiting foreign minister, Wang Yi.
Wang voiced support for promises by the junta for a transition that includes elections.
During its time in power, the junta has repeatedly delayed its timetable for polls.
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