Aung San Suu Kyi visits China

Myanmar’s opposition leader is making her first visit to China at a time of tension between the two countries, and ahead of landmark elections billed as cementing Myanmar’s transition from military rule
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CHINA-MYANMAR TIES: KEY ISSUES

Myanmar elections: Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy expected to do well, though she herself is barred from standing for presidency

Trip to China seen as attempt by Beijing to build relationship with potential future kingmaker of Myanmar
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INDIA  BANGLADESH

Bay of Bengal

Yangon (Rangoon)

Andaman Sea

CHINA YUNNAN PROVINCE

LAOS

THAILAND

MYANMAR

Nay Pyi Taw

200km 125 miles

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Human rights: Suu Kyi has attracted recent international criticism over her silence on treatment of minority Muslim Rohingya in Myanmar, who suffer persecution in Rakhine state (4)

Activists pressurising Suu Kyi to use visit to speak out about fellow Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo, jailed Chinese dissident

Power shift: Since taking power in March 2011, Myanmar’s reformist government has sought to decrease heavy dependence on China and build ties with U.S.

Public protests led government to suspend construction of controversial Chinese-funded Myitsone hydroelectric dam (1)

Social unrest: Villagers have faced violent security crackdowns during years of rallies against
Chinese-operated Letpadaung copper mine (2)

Suu Kyi expected to discuss both copper mine and Myitsone dam with Chinese leaders

Border tensions: Stray army shells from fighting between Myanmar government and ethnic Chinese rebels killed at least five people in China’s Yunnan province in March (3)

China has held live fire drills near border in response
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Pictures: Getty Images, Nobel Foundation

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