Chinese President Xi reaffirms support for Myanmar's new government | East Asia Tonight 16 June 2026

Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing is in Beijing for a state visit. While there, he’s expected to sign a raft of deals ranging from cross-border transportation to trade. Also on East Asia Tonight, the Bank of Japan hikes interest rates to 1%, the highest level in more than thirty years. Meanwhile China shows mixed economic data, with retail sales declining for the first time in three years while industrial output grows. 00:00 Introduction 01:46 China and Myanmar deepen ties 10:50 G7 summit begins 15:45 China May economic data 18:38 Bank of Japan hikes rates 27:43 US-Iran deal uncertainty 32:32 World Cities Summit: AI-powered cities 36:46 World Cities Summit: Insights from Inhee Kim 41:25 AI in focus at Shanghai Int’l Film Festival