Myanmar's Min Aung Hlaing begins official visit to China

Min Aung Hlaing, who took office as president of Myanmar's pro-military government, began an official visit to China on the 15th. This was reported by the state-run Xinhua News Agency. He will hold talks with President Xi Jinping and others until the 19th. The military-led government wants to rely on neighboring China for backing, both economically and diplomatically. Xi's leadership appears to be trying to demonstrate its influence as a major power and stabilize the surrounding region.

Min Aung Hlaing's visit to China is from August to September last year. This is his second foreign trip since taking office as president, following a visit to India from late May to early June. The governments of both countries emphasize their "traditional friendship," and China is one of the major countries that effectively supports the pro-military regime.

Economic cooperation, including trade promotion, is expected to be a major topic of discussion at the summit. The pro-military government, whose relations with Western countries have cooled and is increasingly isolated under sanctions, is forced to rely on China for economic support and diplomatic support. It appears that China is also looking forward to exerting its influence on the issue of "returning" to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

China also shares a border with Myanmar...