Junta Leader's China Trip Mainly Aims to Boost His Standing

Lu Htet Naing, Narinjara News, 5 November 2024

A Myanmar political expert says Senior General Min Aung Hlaing's China visit is mostly about shoring up his own position and likely won't do much to solve Myanmar's problems.

"This trip is meant to strengthen Min Aung Hlaing's role as Myanmar's top leader. After this, they may decide if he can visit Beijing. So I don't think this meeting will have a big or direct impact on Myanmar's issues," said U Than Soe Naing.

Min Aung Hlaing left Naypyidaw early November 5 for the 8th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China.

U Than Soe Naing shared his thoughts with Narinjara News when asked about the visit.

"China is inviting Min Aung Hlaing because it's worried about Myanmar and wants to stop his army from falling apart. That's why China is trying to boost his position. This meeting is a first step to test this approach. So it probably won't have any major impact. But they might talk privately about Myanmar's situation, though we may never know the details," he said.

U Than Soe Naing also pointed out that Min Aung Hlaing's meeting wasn't in Beijing but in Yunnan Province and only included pro-China countries.

"This summit is in Yunnan Province, not Beijing. Another key point is that it's for pro-China nations. China invited Min Aung Hlaing along with other pro-China countries like Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam," he added.

The 8th GMS Summit runs from November 6 to 7, marking the junta chief's first China trip since the 2021 coup.

During his visit, Min Aung Hlaing will join summit meetings and talk with Chinese officials.

After landing in Kunming, the junta leader is also meeting Chinese businesspeople.

Besides the GMS Summit, the 10th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit and 11th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam (CLMV) Summit will happen at the same time.

Along with Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam — all Mekong sub-region members — the Asian Development Bank chairman will join the summit. Chinese Premier Li Qiang will lead the meeting.

Experts see Min Aung Hlaing's first China visit since the 2021 coup as having both political upsides and challenges.