Myanmar Coup Leader Visits China Amid International Scrutiny

Myanmar's coup leader, Min Aung Hlaing, has arrived in Beijing for a five-day state visit, a move seen as an effort to bolster his regime's international standing. Invited by President Xi Jinping, the general's visit underscores China's continued engagement with Myanmar's military leadership despite widespread international condemnation.

This trip marks Min Aung Hlaing's second state visit since assuming the presidency in April, following elections held without genuine opposition. China, which shares a long border with Myanmar, has historically maintained pragmatic ties with the nation, balancing relationships with various factions to ensure border stability and economic interests. The general had previously visited China in September for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit and a WWII anniversary parade.

“

This visit deepens China's complicity with a criminal regime and will likely lead to new trade and arms deals, profiting from the blood of the Burmese people.

The visit occurs amid a concerted campaign by Myanmar's military junta to repair its global image, which has been tarnished since the February 2021 coup. Min Aung Hlaing's international travel has been limited, primarily to allied or neighboring countries like China, Russia, Belarus, and India.

However, activist groups like Justice For Myanmar have strongly criticized China's reception of the general. They accuse Beijing of "complicity" with the military regime, alleging that China is a significant supplier of arms and a major source of foreign currency for the junta. "This visit deepens China's complicity with a criminal regime and will likely lead to new trade and arms deals, profiting from the blood of the Burmese people," stated Yadanar Maung, a spokesperson for JFM. The group argues that such invitations grant "false legitimacy" to the coup leader, who overthrew the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

“

grants a false legitimacy to the coup leader