Myanmar's Min Aung Hlaing to visit China seeking diplomatic backing
Nikkei Asia reports that Myanmar's military leader Min Aung Hlaing will visit Beijing next week. Talks are expected to focus on China-Myanmar Economic Corridor projects, border-region stability and the diplomatic standing of the military government under sustained international pressure. Min Aung Hlaing has made only a handful of formal visits to Beijing since the 2021 coup.
Nikkei Asia reported that the head of Myanmar's State Administration Council, General Min Aung Hlaing, will make an official visit to China next week. It is not yet confirmed whether the visit will include a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Beijing has in recent months been mediating ceasefires between the various combatants in Myanmar's border states.
A central agenda item is the roughly USD 2.5 billion China-Myanmar Economic Corridor portfolio. Beijing wants accelerated construction of the Kyaukphyu deep-water port on the Indian Ocean and the pipeline route to Yunnan, but much of the work has been suspended by the civil war. The Myanmar military government is seeking trade and foreign-currency support.
Min Aung Hlaing stepped up his diplomatic contacts with Moscow last year and was not invited to the most recent ASEAN summit. The Beijing visit is read as part of his effort to ease the military government's international isolation. ASEAN is asking Min Aung Hlaing for additional commitments to reduce civilian casualties in the border fighting.
Read next
Israeli cyber firm accused of targeting First Minister during election campaign
Scotland's First Minister has called for an investigation after evidence emerged that an Israeli cyber-intelligence firm allegedly targeted her official phone during the recent election campaign. Police Scotland and the Scottish Parliament have opened parallel inquiries. The firm denied the allegations and said its technology is licensed only to states.
Unclear whether US-Iran agreement will provide respite to Lebanon
Australian private schoolboy faces court over alleged plot to attack LNP
Australian Federal Police opens inquiry into allegations Israeli forces assaulted flotilla activists
Australia demands answers after girl taken hostage is shot dead by Pakistan police
