February 16: China has signalled to visiting Burmese Prime Minister Soe Win, a figure unwelcome in the rest of Asia, that the pariah state could continue to depend on China but needed to reform its medieval economy and relax political repression.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who is to visit Australia in April, said after meeting General Soe Win, leader of Myanmar (the national name introduced by the military regime): “As Myanmar’s neighbouring country, China sincerely hopes Myanmar can continue to push forward reconciliation at home and realise economic development and social progress.”

This means Beijing wants Burma’s military rulers to do more to accommodate detained democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and speed the country’s growth – in the interests of regional stability, and ultimately of China’s economic opportunities.

China withheld its veto to permit a discussion of Burma at the UN Security Council last December, although only at an informal meeting.

At those talks, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressed concern that Rangoon’s authoritarian government could threaten regional security.

And the Association of South East Asian Nations – with which Beijing is building closer relations, including through a free trade agreement – has become so angry with Burma’s recalcitrance that the country was forced last year to forgo the chairmanship of the association, and the hosting of its major annual meetings.

While Burma provides China with strategic access to the Indian Ocean and substantial supplies of timber, and is potentially a major oil and gas producer, Beijing is starting to indicate concern, as it seeks acceptance as the dominant Asia-Pacific power, about being viewed as the ally of global pariahs.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il toured China in January, and Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe visited last year.

The diplomatic case that Beijing presents to its critics is that it is presenting to these outcasts, through China’s own example of global integration, a persuasive case for gradual change – at least in the economic arena.

General Soe Win will tomorrow visit the Chinese industrial powerhouse of southern Guangdong province.

The two leaders signed agreements on Tuesday on the economy, technology and aviation.

Mr Wen urged Burma to sign up to an international anti-narcotics pledge.

The Chinese Premier also pressed General Soe Win to be more accommodating to the increasing numbers of Chinese – up to a million – who are living in Burma.

However, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao reaffirmed Beijing’s view that questions about human rights in Burma were Rangoon’s “internal affair”.

Beijing appears concerned that any lessening of its influence in Rangoon would eagerly be replaced by that of India.

The Bangkok Post cited a Rangoon-based Asian diplomat as saying “the junta is virtually bankrupt and needs Chinese financial support” – including to build its bizarre new jungle capital, reportedly in response to astrological warnings about the threat of foreign invasion.