Aung San Suu Kyi meets the Red Cross amidst reports of her death

A special meeting took place last Monday between Myanmar's democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi and an official from the International Red Cross. Amid deep concerns among her supporters regarding her health, this meeting has provided clear evidence that she is still alive.

She participated in this discussion with Mr. Arno De Beck, the resident representative of the Red Cross, and this was confirmed by an announcement issued by the Myanmar President's Office via its official Telegram channel. Her family members and her son Kim Aris, residing in London, had been continuously pressuring Myanmar authorities to provide proof that she was alive, stating that no information about her had been available for several years.

Critics suggest that this meeting will somewhat help Myanmar's current military rulers establish their legitimacy in the eyes of the international community. A severe civil war currently exists between Myanmar's military government, democratic activists, and various ethnic groups, and it is reported that the Chinese-backed Myanmar military has recently made some progress. However, the government led by current President and former military chief Min Aung Hlaing has not yet revealed the reason for this meeting or the matters discussed therein.

Presidential Office spokesperson Khin Khin Soe later issued a message stating that 81-year-old Suu Kyi was in good health. To confirm this meeting, several photos showing her shaking hands with the Red Cross official and the two of them seated were released to the media on Monday. Although the Red Cross stated that the meeting took place in accordance with their organization's standard procedures for visiting persons deprived of liberty, and that an opportunity for private exchange of views was provided, they have not provided any official assessment of Suu Kyi's health condition.