According to military sources in Naypyidaw, Min Aung Hlaing, who is scheduled to visit China starting August 30, will grant amnesty to several Chinese nationals currently serving sentences in Myanmar prisons as a gesture to Chinese President Xi Jinping. These pardoned Chinese prisoners will be transported to China on the same aircraft as Min Aung Hlaing. The decision to release these prisoners and present them as a diplomatic gift to President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government is being handled with utmost secrecy.
The visit, which will extend until September 6, involves careful planning for the transfer of these Chinese prisoners. The delegation will be using a special MAI Airbus 319 aircraft specifically acquired for this foreign trip. This diplomatic move appears to be carefully orchestrated to strengthen relations between the two countries, with the prisoner release serving as a goodwill gesture from the Myanmar military leadership to the Chinese government.
During his stay in China, Min Aung Hlaing will attend the 5th Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) scheduled for August 31 to September 1. He will also participate in the Chinese military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II and the victory celebrations, which will take place on September 3. This participation in both diplomatic and military events underscores the complex nature of Myanmar-China relations and the military council’s efforts to maintain strong ties with Beijing.
The itinerary also includes visits to several economically developed Chinese cities and industrial zones, indicating an interest in studying China’s economic development model. The entire visit is scheduled to conclude on September 6, when Min Aung Hlaing will return to Naypyidaw. This diplomatic mission, particularly the decision to release Chinese prisoners as a gesture of goodwill, represents a significant diplomatic maneuver aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between Myanmar and China. The careful planning and secrecy surrounding the prisoner release highlight the importance placed on this aspect of the visit by the military leadership.
