Noted Burmese political figure Aung San Suu Kyi is set to visit China next week despite security threats made by radical militant group ISIS.
According to Myanmar's President's Office, Suu Kyi is set to arrive in Beijing on Aug. 17 four a four-day visit. She will be received by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang as a head of state, the Global Times reported. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has earlier extended an invitation for the Burmese leader to visit China during the ASEAN conference in Laos.
This is the second time the Burmese leader is visiting China, having met with Xi in June of 2015 prior to Myanmar's general elections in November.
While only a few details were given about Suu Kyi's trip to China, analysts say that it will likely tackle the two countries' relations under Myanmar's new government.
China had a close working relationship with the country's previous military government, while Suu Kyi is known for advocating a democratic government for the Myanmar. The upcoming visit is seen by analysts as strengthening the two countries' ties further.
The State Counsellor is also expected to seek China's support for the resolution of the decades-old ethnic conflicts in the country. Suu Kyi visit comes in just two weeks before the start of the 21st Century Panglong conference involving Myanmar's government, its military, and the various ethnic armed groups in the country.
Meanwhile, security for Suu Kyi's China visit is will be tightened following threats made by the terrorist group ISIS, Radio Free Asia reported. Suu Kyi's named reportedly appeared alongside that of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, and several other key Malaysian officials in an alleged hit list sent by the group to Malaysian police.
Authorities are still currently verifying the authenticity of the list, as well as the identity of the sender. However, Myanmar President's Office spokesperson Zaw Htaw said that they are already taking further security measures.