Junta chief seeks support

Heading off: Min Aung Hlaing shaking hands with a military officer while other junta leaders look on at a ceremony for his departure to China at an airport in Naypyidaw. — AP

THE country’s embattled junta chief arrived in China – his first reported visit since leading a coup in 2021 – but analysts say the invitation is only a lukewarm endorsement from his key ally and could backfire.

Min Aung Hlaing was in Kunming yesterday for a summit of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) – a group including China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia – starting today.