Myanmar Regime Seeks Military Cooperation in China, Belarus as Losses Mount

A regime delegation led by National Security Advisor Tin Aung San meets with Aleksandr Volfovich, Secretary of the Security Council of Belarus, in Minsk last week. / MWD

Struggling to reclaim territory lost since the 2021 coup, Myanmar’s regime has dispatched its defense minister and national security chief to China and Belarus to strengthen military cooperation.

President’s Office Minister and National Security Adviser Tin Aung San visited Belarus from September 14 to 19, while Defense Minister General Tun Aung traveled to Beijing from September 15 to 17.

The trips came as the regime launched air, naval, and ground offensives in Arakan Army (AA)‑controlled Rakhine, only to suffer heavy losses. In northern Myanmar’s Bhamo, the Kachin Independence Army deployed FPV suicide drones to destroy around 20 regime supply vessels. At the same time, six drones evaded air defenses to strike inside Tada-U Air Base in Mandalay.

In Beijing, Tun Aung met Chinese Defense Minister General Dong Jun at the Xiangshan Forum. According to regime media, the two discussed military cooperation and stability along the border. He also toured Chinese defense technology companies. In his former role as air force chief, Tun Aung has overseen airstrikes and mass bombings in ethnic areas, including deadly attacks on civilian populations. He was appointed defense minister in April.

Regime defense minister Tun Aung addresses the Beijing Shanxi Forum last week./ MWD

China has propped up the regime with funds, weapons, and technology since the coup, intervening decisively after unprecedented battlefield defeats during Operation 1027 in 2023-24. Beijing pressured ethnic armed groups to halt fighting in Shan State, allowing the Myanmar military to redirect forces to Rakhine and central Myanmar.

Belarus, a major arms supplier to Myanmar, hosted Tin Aung San in Minsk where he met National Security Committee chairman Ivan Tertel and Interior Minister Ivan Kubrakov to discuss intelligence sharing, cyber security, riot police training, counter-terrorism, and training for Myanmar personnel. He also visited the Belarusian military academy to observe training for domestic and foreign cadets.

His visit came just weeks after coup leader Min Aung Hlaing traveled to Belarus for similar talks.

The Arakan Army displays regime POWs, weapons and military equipment captured during fighting on the border of Sittwe and Ponnagyun townships on September 16, 2026. / AA Info Desk

The regime’s diplomatic outreach comes as domestic turmoil deepens, with reshuffles in the military command and Home Affairs Ministry.

Meanwhile, the AA has showcased regime soldiers and weapons it said were captured during fighting in Sittwe and Ponnagyun townships on September 16. Ground sources say the military is now massing troops in Magwe Region’s Saw Township in preparation for fresh offensives in Rakhine, the Chin hills to the north, and Kachin.