Head of Myanmar’s military government visits close ally China for the first time since taking power

BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s state media says the head of Myanmar’s military government embarked upon an official visit this week to China, the embattled Southeast Asian nation’s most important international ally. Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing departed Tuesday and plans to visit Kunming, the capital of China’s Yunnan province, for several regional meetings. It’s the first time Min Aung Hlaing has traveled to the neighboring country since his army seized power in February 2021 from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Myanmar’s ruling generals and China’s government have shown concern as pro-democracy guerrillas and armed ethnic minority groups have taken the initiative in their fight against military rule.