Burma?s junta leader comes back happy from China after getting backing for his November election and a pledge from Beijing to snub ethnic militias inside Burma. ?May I propose a toast for the long-lasting Sino-Myanmar Pauk-phaw friendship?? So said Li Jinjun, China?s Ambassador to Myanmar, or Burma, speaking at an official reception in Rangoon five years ago. Meaning ?brother? in Burmese, the wording is as a hat-tip to the growing commercial and strategic ties between the two countries – links which Burmese opposition leaders and exiles have slammed for helping maintain an oppressive status quo in Burma, which is scheduled to hold elections on 7 November. The real meaning of Pauk-phaw was underlined last week with the visit of Burma?s junta leader Sen. Gen. Than Shwe to China, marking the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations between the two countries.