Myanmar's embattled junta chief arrived in China Tuesday -- 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’s visit to Kunming seems to mark a watershed in Beijing’s policy toward the country’s civil war.

Min Aung Hlaing is visiting the Chinese city of Kunming for a meeting of states from the Greater Mekong Subregion. It comes as the military junta seeks to sure up support both at home and abroad.

Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing will travel to China this week to attend regional summits, state media said on Monday, in the embattled top general's first visit to the influential neighbouring nation since he seized power in a 2021 coup.

The leader of Myanmar’s military junta visited China on Tuesday to join regional meetings in Kunming, the capital of southwestern Yunnan Province, state television reported.

The delegation is known to include Shwe Than Lwin Group’s Kyaw Win, as well as Xiao Sen, who was behind a shady, now-suspended development project in Yangon a decade ago.

Beijing has been a major ally and arms supplier of the Myanmar military but last year China sealed parts of the border and halted key imports to rebel-controlled areas when the internal conflict reached its southern borders.

Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing will travel to key ally China this week, both countries said Monday, in his first known trip there since seizing power in a 2021