Than Shwe, whose regime has drawn international condemnation for its human rights record and political repression, is on a four-day visit that will include a meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao.

While Myanmar is the subject of tough Western sanctions, China -- the junta's main trading partner and an eager investor in the isolated state's sizeable natural resources -- called for even closer ties with its neighbour.

"China and Myanmar are friendly neighbours and this year marks the 60th anniversary of bilateral ties," foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told reporters.

"We are willing to take this opportunity to further consolidate our traditional friendship and make new contributions to regional peace and stability."

Myanmar will hold its first election in 20 years in November but pro-democracy parties allege that restrictions imposed by the iron-fisted military regime will virtually ensure it wins the poll.

The election has been widely criticised by activists and the West as a sham.

Speaking at a regular press briefing, Jiang deflected questions about Myanmar's human rights record and whether China's support has helped keep the junta in power.

But she said China hopes "the international community can provide constructive help" for the polls and "refrain from any negative impact on the domestic political process of Myanmar and on regional peace and stability".

She called the election an "important step in proceeding with democracy".

The Myanmar general is due to meet Hu on Wednesday and Premier Wen Jiabao on Thursday.

Jiang provided no specifics on what Than Shwe would discuss with Chinese leaders or on the reason for the visit. China had said earlier they would discuss bilateral relations and their respective "domestic developments".

Besides meeting Hu and Wen in Beijing, Than Shwe will travel to Shanghai to see the World Expo and visit southern China's booming export hub Shenzhen during his visit ending Saturday, China said previously.

China has long helped to keep Myanmar afloat through trade ties, arms sales, and by shielding it from UN sanctions over rights abuses as a veto-wielding member of the Security Council.

In return, China is assured of a stable neighbour and access to raw materials such as teak and gems from Myanmar, which has been ruled by the military since 1962.

Ties frayed last year when fighting between junta forces and rebel ethnic armies drove tens of thousands of refugees over the border into China, which issued a rare admonishment to Myanmar.

But in November, China's top oil producer began construction of a pipeline across Myanmar.

And last week two Chinese warships made a rare visit to Myanmar, which Beijing's state press said was aimed at promoting ties between the allies' armed forces.

The issue of border stability was discussed when Wen Jiabao visited Myanmar in June -- the first visit by a Chinese premier in 16 years.

He met Than Shwe and the two sides signed a series of agreements on trade, finance, energy, science and technology.

Ahead of Than Shwe's visit, Human Rights Watch had called on Beijing to press Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, to conduct open elections and be accountable for its rights record.

"China both wants to profit from Burma and distance itself from Burma's unstable military rule," the New York-based group's acting Asia director Sophie Richardson said in a statement.

"If the Chinese government doesn't fundamentally alter its approach to Burma, it risks burnishing its reputation as a patron of abusive regimes."

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