Two top U.S. envoys have arrived in Burma for talks with government ministers about microfinance programs and human trafficking.

U.S. special envoy to Burma Derek Mitchell and Luis CdeBaca, the U.S. envoy on human trafficking, are to meet with Burma's new, nominally civilian government.

The trip follows U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's landmark visit to Burma last year. She said the United States would consider lifting sanctions if Burma's government continues to make political reforms.

Some observers have speculated Clinton's visit was meant to persuade Burma to align itself with the United States instead of its longtime ally China.

For the past two decades, the United States has imposed sanctions on the former Burmese military government because of its harsh human-rights abuses, including military operations against ethnic groups and the jailing of up to 2,000 political prisoners.

The new Burmese government has made several political reforms in the past year, releasing about 200 political prisoners, easing some press restrictions and opening a dialogue with some of its critics, including pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.