BEIJING, - China on Tuesday hailed Myanmar as a "friendly neighbour" and warned the world not to meddle in its upcoming election, as the head of the country's military junta was due to arrive for a state visit.

Than Shwe, whose regime has drawn international condemnation for its human rights record, arrives Tuesday for 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.

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 would provide no specifics on what Than Shwe would discuss with Chinese leaders or on the reason for the visit.

Besides meeting Hu and Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing, Than Shwe will travel to Shanghai to see the World Expo and will 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.

Two Chinese warships made a rare visit to Myanmar last week to promote military ties, Chinese state media reported.