Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, head of Myanmar’s junta government, departed on November 5 to attend the Mekong Meeting in China.
China’s invitation to the leader of Myanmar’s junta government has sparked criticism and heated debate within political circles.
U Myo Kyaw, spokesperson for the Arakan League for Democracy (ALD), observed that the Spring Revolution is making some progress, which has put the military junta in a difficult position. He suggested that China’s invitation may be an attempt to relieve some of that pressure.
“China is signaling its recognition of the military junta despite the ongoing Spring Revolution, which has gained momentum over the past few years, creating significant challenges for the junta,” U Myo Kyaw said. “China is pushing Myanmar’s economy, imposing trade restrictions along the border, and pressuring armed resistance groups—all of which may influence the junta’s stance toward China.”
On November 4, the junta confirmed that Gen. Min Aung Hlaing would attend the 8th Greater Mekong Subregion Summit in Kunming, China, scheduled for November 6-7. Additionally, Gen. Min Aung Hlaing is expected to participate in the 10th Ayeyarwady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit and the 11th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam (CLMV) Cooperation Summit.
U Maung Maung Kyi, a leading member of the Multi-Ethnic Network of the Spring Revolution, suggested that the junta is urgently seeking China’s backing to gain legitimacy.
“Gen. Min Aung Hlaing is essentially trying to gain legitimacy by aligning himself with China. After China distanced itself from him for some time, he now sees this as an opportunity to seek China’s support. With China indirectly backing the junta’s upcoming election, Min Aung Hlaing is eager to respond to China’s invitation,” he said.
China has not only supported the junta’s planned general elections but has also pressured ethnic armed groups along the China-Myanmar border that have been resisting the junta.
According to U Myo Kyaw, China has extensive investments in Myanmar and views the country as a critical gateway to the sea, which is why it has cultivated a relationship with the junta to protect its interests.
“For Myanmar, the military junta relies heavily on China and Russia. Apart from these two, they have no other significant allies. This lack of support is why Min Aung Hlaing is also reaching out to China. For China, Myanmar is strategically important due to its access to two oceans and the substantial investments they have in the country. Having a government like the military junta, which is more easily influenced, serves China’s interests. Therefore, they want to maintain this government for their own strategic gain,” he said
According to a statement from the military junta, Gen. Min Aung Hlaing is expected to meet with Chinese government officials during his visit to discuss expanding cooperation across multiple sectors between the two countries.
