Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, is currently in Cambodia for a two-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. The trip, which includes meetings with acting head of state Hun Sen and Prime Minister Hun Manet, has resulted in the signing of four agreements covering tax cooperation, investment protection, cultural exchanges, and media collaboration.
The visit comes as the junta leader seeks to reduce Myanmar's international isolation, following similar diplomatic trips to Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam. However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Fortify Rights, which argue that hosting the leader provides legitimacy to a regime accused of violent crackdowns on civilians.
Addressing the backlash, Senate spokesperson Chea Thyrith defended the engagement by emphasizing Cambodia’s commitment to the ASEAN principle of non-interference. Thyrith questioned the stance of international critics, suggesting that if nations truly did not recognize the junta, they would have withdrawn their diplomatic representatives from Myanmar. Notably, the official did not address the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus, a regional framework intended to curb violence and facilitate humanitarian aid.
Political analyst Seng Vanly warned that the visit could grant the junta a “political victory” while undermining regional pressure to restore democratic order. Vanly suggested that Cambodia’s focus on leader-to-leader relations risks overshadowing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, noting that the country remains excluded from high-level ASEAN summits due to the 2021 military coup.
In addition to his meetings in the capital, Min Aung Hlaing is scheduled to meet with National Assembly president Khun Sodary and visit Siem Reap province. During the discussions, the junta leader also expressed support for Cambodia’s efforts to resolve border disputes with Thailand through peaceful, legal channels.
Source: CamboJA News
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