Myanmar’s military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, will visit China later this week to participate in a Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, state-run Myawaddy TV reported. The trip is being made at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping and will include bilateral meetings with Chinese officials in addition to the multilateral gathering. The visit underscores Beijing’s support for Myanmar’s junta as the country prepares for its first general election since the February 2021 coup. The military government has scheduled the initial phase of voting for 28 December, covering more than 300 constituencies, including areas where resistance forces continue to operate. Min Aung Hlaing’s agenda is also expected to feature attendance at China’s Victory Day commemorations in Beijing, reflecting deepening military and diplomatic ties between the two governments. Myanmar remains mired in civil conflict, with clashes between junta troops and ethnic or pro-democracy armed groups continuing across large parts of the country.