CNI News

25 October 2024

As Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council, is to go to China in November this year, what kinds of changes in military and economy of Myanmar could arise after his trip, which is being discussed by military and political analysts. 

The trip reportedly had been planned since August when the Chinese FM Wang Yi came to Myanmar.

The SAC chairman's trip could bring opportunities for Myanmar and Myanmar could be stronger in military because there are bilateral interests which the two countries have to work together, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies, U Thein Tun Oo told CNI News.

While seeing President (retired) U Thein Sein and Chinese President Xi Jingping

" It's an official trip for a lot of interests the two countries have to work together. So, the trip can bring opportunities for Myanmar. Frankly speaking, in building an army to be stronger, regional and international relations support it. But our performance is mainly important. Depending on our performance, our military can be stronger. How can Myanmar make the most of better military strength? It's an important point." he said.

China-Myanmar border trades that have been closed down due to Myanmar domestic armed conflicts could be discussed during the trip of the SAC chairman, said political commentators. 

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing's trip to China will be the first time after 1st February 2021 when the political changes started.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Russian President Putin

President U Thein Sein (retired) and Vice Sr-Gen Soe Win, vice chairman of the SAC went to China in June and July 2024. There would be no military changes distinctly but only economic changes, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" There could be no military changes so distinctly, but only economic changes. The SAC seems to borrow three billion dollars from China. If the SAC can borrow it, the military council can stand a chance of having an opportunity to prop up the economy that has been collapsing. Its image can become good as well. It doesn't stand a chance of linking militarily so much. But the military probably will prevent the elements that it has controlled from taking part in the war as well as limit the flow of weapons. So, there will be some reasons that can change military and economy a little." he said.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing visited Russia three times and during his trip in 2022, he met with Russian President, Putin.