Myanmar President Begins Cambodia Visit, Seeks ASEAN Engagement

Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing began a two-day state visit to Cambodia on September 11 at the invitation of King Norodom Sihamoni. He is scheduled to meet Senate President Hun Sen and Prime Minister Hun Manet to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional and international issues, and will lay wreaths at national memorials in Phnom Penh. The visit is part of Min Aung Hlaing’s campaign to rebuild Myanmar’s regional ties and gain international legitimacy after the military’s 2021 ouster of Aung San Suu Kyi’s government. Critics warn that closer engagement with Cambodia could undermine ASEAN’s efforts to pressure Myanmar to implement the bloc’s peace plan, which calls for an end to violence, dialogue, humanitarian access and mediation.