Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi to visit China amid controversy

Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi is headed to Beijing and may meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, the Global New Light Of Myanmar reported.

Suu Kyi, 72, has been the target of international criticism following Myanmar's crackdown on the Rohingya, the country's Muslim minority group.

The Nobel Peace laureate's trip is taking place during Pope Francis' visit to Bangladesh, which is to begin midweek following his passage through Myanmar.

Myanmar's military has been condemned for alleged human rights abuses against Rohingya civilians as they fled to Bangladesh.

More than 600,000 refugees have left Myanmar following the violence, according to the International Rescue Committee.

The military's suppression of uprisings in Rakhine State, however, has received Chinese endorsement.

Ahead of Suu Kyi's visit, senior Gen. Min Aung met with Gen. Li Zuocheng, member of China's Central Military Commission, last Wednesday.

Li told Myanmar's general China's development and prosperity is an important opportunity for Myanmar, according to China's defense ministry.

The two countries have agreed to cooperate in the oil and gas sectors.

Myanmar is a producer of natural gas, which can be extracted from the Bay of Bengal.

Suu Kyi's visit to China comes at a time when China is promoting its model of governance following the 19th Communist Party Congress.

Wang Huning, a Chinese political theorist and top party member, said the strategy to deepen foreign understanding of Xi's model of governance is important for Beijing.

The Chinese government recently published the second volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China.

"Studying and publicizing the newly published volume will further ingrain Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in people's hearts and enhance the international community's understanding of Xi's thought," Wang said last week.

China has shown interest in increasing its economic influence with projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative.