Deutsche Welle :
Myanmar’s embattled military chief, Min Aung Hlaing, visited China to take part in a two-day summit of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) – a group including China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia – that started on Wednesday in the southwestern city of Kunming.
This is his first trip to China since seizing power in a coup over three and a half years ago.
The junta shared photos of the senior general addressing a gathering of Chinese business leaders.
On Wednesday, Min held talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who expressed Beijing’s support for Myanmar’s political reconciliation and transition efforts, state media reported.
Myanmar has been in a state of political turmoil since the military toppled the democratically elected government in February 2021.
The coup sparked mass protests, which evolved into a major anti-junta uprising, particularly in regions dominated by ethnic minorities.
Those opposing the military regime have formed alliances comprising ethnic groups and civilian-led defense forces.
The civil war is estimated to have claimed the lives of over 5,000 civilians since 2021.
Millions have been internally displaced and the country’s economy lies in tatters.
Even though the Myanmar generals have been shunned by the international community, Beijing has maintained good working ties with them. China is also the Southeast Asian nation’s biggest trade partner and a major supplier of weapons to the Myanmar military.