Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi honoured as China breaks with tradition

In a rare break from protocol, China's ambassador to Myanmar was at Yangon airport on Wednesday to see off Myanmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as she left on her maiden visit to Beijing.

During the five-day trip, Suu Kyi was expected to meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang in her capacity as chairwoman of Myanmar's National League for Democracy, a NLD spokesman said.

After her arrival in Beijing, Suu Kyi met Wang Jiarui, director of the Central Committee's international department, and exchanged views on relations between the two countries.

Her visit comes as China and Myanmar celebrate 65 years of bilateral relations. A reception marking the milestone in Yangon on Monday - attended by China's ambassador Yang Houlan and Myanmese Vice-President Sai Mauk Kham - was low-key compared with celebrations in 2010 and 2005 that were graced either by the presence of, or greetings from, Chinese leaders.

Analysts say the latest events suggest Beijing believes Suu Kyi is likely to win Myanmar's upcoming election - if she runs - and hopes to restore amicable bilateral ties through her.

"Beijing is hedging its bets on a politically ascendant Suu Kyi," said Alvin Cheng-hin Lim, of the Singapore-based Longus Institute for Development and Strategy. "The honours extended to her signify Beijing's anticipation of a regime change in Myanmar."

Myanmar was important to China given its strategic location as a land corridor to the Indian Ocean, Lim said, but relations had suffered after the Thein Sein administration suspended the China-backed Myitsone Dam project in 2011 over environmental concerns. He said the suspension greatly embarrassed Beijing as it had just upgraded ties with Myanmar shortly after Thein Sein took office that year.