China on Sunday reiterated its support for UN efforts to foster political change in military-run Myanmar, ahead of bilateral talks on the crisis there.

“On one hand we believe that the Myanmar people have the capacity to resolve their own issues,” foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang told journalists in Singapore, where Premier Wen Jiabao arrived on Sunday for a five-day visit.

“On the other hand, we believe that the international community on the basis of equality and mutual respect must constructively participate in this – this is why we support the United Nations.”

Mr Wen on Monday will meet Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit, which is expected to focus on the situation in Myanmar, officials said.

In September, Myanmar security forces used batons and tear gas to put an end to weeks of pro-democracy protests, the biggest threat to the junta in nearly 20 years.

At least 15 people were killed in the crackdown, which sparked widespread international condemnation and calls for China to do more to push the ruling generals, with whom it has close ties, to implement democratic reforms.

Mr Wen discussed the issue with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday, saying that stability in the isolated nation must first be established before reform can take place, officials said.

Mr Qin refused to say if China supported a permanent dialogue between the military junta and detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

But he praised as “positive” the effort of UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari to organise recent talks between the Nobel peace laureate and a junta liaison.