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.

Premier Li Qiang and visiting military leader Min Aung Hlaing also discussed the breakdown of a ceasefire brokered by Beijing earlier this year.

Myanmar regime boss pledges protections and benefits for investment as Beijing turns blind eye to war crimes against civilian population.

Myanmar's junta chief has held talks with Premier Li Qiang of key ally China on the civil war roiling his country, state media said Thursday, during his first visit to the country since seizing power in a 2021 coup.

China's Premier Li Qiang expressed support for Myanmar's political reconciliation and 2025 election plans in a meeting with Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing on Wednesday, according to state media outlets.

Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to Kunming seems to mark a watershed in Beijing’s policy toward the country’s civil war.

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.