# Myanmar's junta chief rebuilds regional ties despite ongoing civil war

Myanmar's coup leader-turned-president Min Aung Hlaing has regained diplomatic ground with neighbouring countries, including Thailand, China and other ASEAN states, even as fighting with resistance forces continues across the country. The shift reflects regional governments prioritising stability, border trade and refugee control over isolating the junta. It matters because it weakens pressure on the military government and complicates hopes for a negotiated end to the conflict.

**Importance:** 4/5

## Sources

### World
- [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/16/as-war-rages-myanmars-coup-leader-turned-president-wins-back-neighbours?traffic_source=rss) — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 01:34:47 +0000