Myanmar’s junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, has begun a five-day state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. This marks his first bilateral trip abroad since seizing power in April following disputed elections. Prior to this, Hlaing visited India, making China the second foreign country he has travelled to as head of state. The visit signals a key diplomatic move for the junta, seeking international partnerships. It is widely understood the trip aims to bolster support from a crucial ally following widespread condemnation of the military coup. The elections that brought the junta to power have been widely denounced as a sham by international observers. This visit underscores China’s continued engagement with the military government in Myanmar.