Min Aung Hlaing is currently in China from August 30 to September 6 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit and the 80th anniversary commemoration of the victory in the anti-fascist war. During this visit, he has been notably focused on meeting and photographing himself with international leaders, making deliberate efforts to engage in photo diplomacy. Throughout the events, he has been actively approaching international leaders, introducing himself as being from Myanmar, and engaging in diplomatic conversations.
He has particularly focused on meeting with leaders from Russian-aligned nations, discussing the establishment of diplomatic relations through mutual ambassador appointments and joint embassy operations through interpreters. He has also met with ASEAN leaders, including the President of Indonesia and the Prime Minister of Malaysia, with these encounters being heavily documented and distributed through military-affiliated Telegram channels. A particularly notable interaction occurred on September 3 during the Chinese military parade, where he met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, with their joint photographs being given special prominence in military media channels.
These diplomatic photo opportunities appear to be part of a calculated effort to portray Min Aung Hlaing as an internationally accepted leader with significant diplomatic connections. He has been particularly active in seeking out international leaders at these events, ensuring each interaction is photographed and subsequently distributed through military-affiliated media channels. The military council has been using these images extensively in their propaganda efforts, attempting to project an image of normal diplomatic relations despite the ongoing crisis in Myanmar.
This campaign of photo diplomacy represents a clear attempt to create an appearance of international legitimacy and normal diplomatic relations. However, observers note that these carefully orchestrated photo opportunities are merely a facade, attempting to mask the ongoing violence and oppression against the Myanmar people. The military council’s efforts to present these diplomatic encounters as evidence of international acceptance contrast sharply with the reality of their actions within Myanmar, where they continue to commit violence against civilians and suppress democratic movements.
