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.

Min Aung Hlaing is visiting the Chinese city of Kunming for a meeting of states from the Greater Mekong Subregion. It comes as the military junta seeks to sure up support both at home and abroad.

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 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.

SINGAPORE - On Nov 5, Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing set foot on China for the first time since staging a coup in 2021. He was visiting Kunming as a representative of Myanmar in the Greater Mekong Subregion Summit of Leaders, a meeting held every three years involving China, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Beijing has been a major ally and arms supplier of the Myanmar military but last year China sealed parts of the border and halted key imports to rebel-controlled areas when the internal conflict reached its southern borders.