CHIANG RAI — Myanmar's president began a weeklong trip to China on June 15, 2026, after being invited by China. Min Aung Hlaing led the military junta that staged a coup in Myanmar in 2021.

Hlaing was elected president in an election organized by the leaders of the 2021 military coup. Human rights groups and Western governments dismissed Myanmar's recent election as illegitimate. The civil war that followed the 2021 coup threatened China's economic interests and citizens in border areas.

Hlaing is expected to ask China to pressure border ethnic armed organizations to stop supplying weapons to resistance forces, according to Myanmar analyst Min Zaw Oo. Hlaing is also likely to request additional economic assistance and investment from China during his visit, Oo stated. China and Russia have provided support that improved the tactics and capabilities of Myanmar's military.

Myanmar's military has expanded its troop numbers through forced conscription. "China will probably ask President Min Aung Hlaing about the welfare of Aung San Suu Kyi but not necessarily pushing the government to release her at any time soon." Oo said. Aung San Suu Kyi will turn 81 years old on June 19, 2026.

Yun Sun, China director at the Stimson Center, commented on the historical involvement of Myanmar's military in the nation's politics. "Since the creation of the nation, we have not seen a single day when the Burmese military was not playing a central role in the politics. So that is a horse they have selected and chooses to move on with." Sun said. She added, "With India and China willing to receive him, I think Min Aung Hlaing got his base covered. So moving forward, I think Min Aung Hlaing will feel more confident in terms of dealing with international audience and in terms of dealing with domestic opposition."