Myanmar Junta Leader Meets Chinese Premier

Myanmar's military chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, visited China for the first time since the 2021 coup, meeting with Premier Li Qiang to discuss economic cooperation and political reconciliation. During their talks in Kunming, Hlaing emphasized Myanmar's desire for peace amid ongoing conflicts with pro-democracy forces and armed ethnic groups. Li expressed China's readiness to support Myanmar's economic corridor under the Belt and Road Initiative while underscoring the need for stability to protect Chinese investments. Concurrently, Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Hlaing, offering goodwill for peace and indicating Thailand's commitment to an active role in resolving Myanmar's conflict, particularly through ASEAN's peace initiatives. Both leaders' meetings highlight the complex geopolitical maneuvers surrounding Myanmar's junta and the regional implications of its ongoing unrest.