Gen Than Shwe has ruled Burma since 1992
Burma’s military leader, General Than Shwe, is beginning a five-day visit to its major ally China.
He is expected to have talks with the country’s leaders and seek support for his government’s plans to hold national elections later this year.
Burma’s military government is shunned by many countries because of its human rights record.
But it has strong relations with China, which has invested millions of dollars in projects in Burma.
There are few details about exactly why Gen Than Shwe is coming to China.
But he is expected to meet President Hu Jintao and other senior leaders.
Analysts believe he will want to talk about reported leadership changes in Burma.
The two countries have built up a strong relationship over recent decades.
Many nations refuse to do business with the military government in Burma because of its human rights record.
But China has stepped into the void.
The two countries are major training partners, and China invests millions of dollars in infrastructure projects in Burma.
Beijing is building two pipelines there – one for oil, the other for natural gas.
These will make it easier to get energy supplies into China.
To protect these investments, Chinese officials will be keen to see a stable Burma – whatever the developments inside the country.
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