Instead, they invited him to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province to Myanmar’s north, for a small regional summit hosted by Li Qiang, China’s premier. But their real purpose is to prod him to lay out plans for fresh elections in 2025.

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.

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.

The civilian government said Beijing’s invitation to the junta leader to summits in Kunming would strain ties between China and the Myanmar people.

Myanmar's ruling military has been battling against a rebellion that erupted after it seized power in a 2021 coup and has largely ignored calls by its Southeast Asian neighbours to cease hostilities and enter into dialogue with its opponents.

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 coup.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with the head of Myanmar’s military junta in China yesterday, as her government prepares to hold an “informal consultation” on the country’s conflict next month.