Myanmar: Myanmar junta leader Gen. Min Aung Hlaing will visit China this week, marking the top general’s first visit to the neighboring country since the February 2021 coup, an official statement said on Monday. The visit comes at the invitation of Beijing, said the Ministry of Information.
According to Anadolu Agency, during his trip, Aung Hlaing will attend the 8th Greater Mekong Subregion summit in the southern city of Kunming from Nov. 6-7. Aung, who is the head of the State Planning and Administration Council, will also hold meetings with several Chinese officials. The two sides are expected to discuss further development and strengthened cooperation in the economy and other sectors, as mentioned in the statement. However, it remains unclear whether Aung will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during the visit.
The visit occurs amidst Beijing’s request for assurances from Aung’s administration to protect Chinese personnel and diplomatic missions, considering the ongoing armed conflict between the junta
and ethnic rebels. Last month, an explosion targeted the Chinese Consulate-General in Mandalay, causing damage to one of its buildings. Additionally, the Chinese military fired warning shots after detecting a fighter jet from the Myanmar army flying too close to its border.
The northern part of Myanmar has witnessed an increase in attacks against the junta regime by rebels in recent weeks, with the ‘Brotherhood Alliance’ claiming control over significant areas. Beijing had previously mediated a cease-fire between the junta and rebels, but it has broken down several times. The political landscape in Myanmar has been tumultuous since the February 2021 military coup, where the army overthrew the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, leading to widespread social, political, and economic instability.