China's Premier Li Qiang expressed support for Myanmar's political reconciliation and 2025 election plans in a meeting with Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing on Wednesday, according to state media outlets.

Instead, they invited him to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province to Myanmar’s north, for a small regional summit hosted by Li Qiang, China’s premier. But their real purpose is to prod him to lay out plans for fresh elections in 2025.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang expressed Beijing’s support for "political reconciliation and transformation" in Myanmar during a meeting with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, according to state media. A handou

The civilian government said Beijing’s invitation to the junta leader to summits in Kunming would strain ties between China and the Myanmar people.

Myanmar's ruling military has been battling against a rebellion that erupted after it seized power in a 2021 coup and has largely ignored calls by its Southeast Asian neighbours to cease hostilities and enter into dialogue with its opponents.

Myanmar 's junta chief Min Aung Hlaing embarked on his first official visit to China since wresting power three years ago as civil war continued to rage in his Southeast Asian country.

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.

Myanmar's junta chief has held talks with Premier Li Qiang of key ally China on the civil war roiling his country, state media said Thursday, during his first visit to the country since seizing power in a 2021 coup.