Myanmar’s military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, has commenced his first trip to China since taking power in the 2021 coup, Al Jazeera reports.
Accompanied by a delegation, Min Aung Hlaing departed on Tuesday morning and is expected to participate in regional meetings in China, a key international ally for Myanmar.
Despite China’s status as an arms supplier to the military government, analysts note that it maintains relations with ethnic armed groups operating near its border. Beijing is concerned about the instability in Myanmar, which poses threats to Chinese interests.
China has also expressed concerns over online scam compounds operating in Myanmar’s border areas, targeting Chinese citizens.
A statement from Myanmar’s government indicated that Min Aung Hlaing intends to meet with Chinese officials to discuss bilateral relations and strengthen economic cooperation.
China remains Myanmar’s largest trading partner and has invested heavily in infrastructure projects. However, while this is Min Aung Hlaing’s first visit to China, he has previously visited Russia, another key ally, on multiple occasions.
The army chief will attend a summit of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) in Kunming on Wednesday. The GMS encompasses China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
Meanwhile, Myanmar’s military government continues to face resistance from rebel fighters and ethnic minorities, particularly near the Chinese border. The West has imposed sanctions on the military regime due to its coup and human rights violations.
