Myanmar's junta chief to visit China

Sep 4, 2010, 5:37 GMT

Yangon - Myanmar's military junta chief is to visit China next week at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, Myanmar state media said Saturday.

Senior General Than Shwe - who heads the State Peace and Development Council, as the junta styles itself - is to be accompanied by several generals and ministers, The New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported.

He was due to depart Tuesday, officials said.

China's Foreign Ministry said the visit would continue until September 11.

Than Shwe, 77, a normally reclusive leader, has engaged in a flurry of diplomatic activities over the past six months as the military-run country heads for a general election on November 7.

US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell visited Myanmar in May, which was followed by a visit by Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao.

In July, Than Shwe paid a five-day visit to New Delhi, and North Korean Foreign Minister Pak U Chun visited Myanmar in August.

Than Shwe's visit to Beijing is to follow on the heels of the first visit to Myanmar of two Chinese warships a week ago.

Although Myanmar's current regime is subject to economic sanctions by most Western democracies, both China and India have cultivated ties with the junta for their own security and economic advantages.