YANGON—Myanmar’s embattled junta chief arrived in China Tuesday—his first reported visit since leading a coup in 2021—but analysts say the invitation is only a lukewarm endorsement from his key ally and could backfire.

Min Aung Hlaing was in the southwestern city of Kunming for a summit of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS)—a group including China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia—starting Wednesday.