Potential Heirs: Kyaw Swar Lin and Company Debut in China

Of the five officers who accompanied the junta chief to China, three are seen as potential leaders of the Tatmadaw’s fourth generation, and were presented to Chinese leaders, firming up succession plan.

By ISP Admin | September 11, 2025

Photo – AFP

This Stakeholder Tracker No. 3 (English Version) was published on September 11, 2025, as a translation of the original Burmese version published on September 10, 2025.

▪️Period

August 30, 2025, to September 6, 2025

▪️Stakeholders

Military officers accompanying the junta leader on his trip to China

▪️Issues/activity

Snr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing visited China, where he met President Xi Jinping and other international leaders. He was joined by Gen. Ye Win Oo (OTS-77), Gen. Kyaw Swar Lin (DSA-35), Maj. Gen. Moe Myint Swe (OTC-23), Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun (DSA-37) and Lt. Col. Kyaw Zaw Ye (DSA-47).

▪️Status/trends

Among the officials, Gen. Kyaw Swar Lin is widely tipped as a potential candidate to succeed as Commander-in-Chief. Maj. Gen. Moe Myint Swe serves as Aide De Camp, and Lt. Col. Kyaw Zaw Ye is a close advisor cum protégé to the junta leader. According to research by ISP-Myanmar, these three are likely to emerge as rising figures in the Tatmadaw’s fourth generation (see ISP OnPoint No. 27). Their presence in China and their introduction to Chinese leaders can be interpreted as firming up succession plan. There is precedent: in September 2010, shortly before retiring, former junta chief Snr. Gen. Than Shwe introduced his successor, then Lt. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, to Chinese leaders. He was accompanied by Gen. Thura Shwe Mann and Gen. Tin Aung Myint Oo.

▪️Implications

The junta leader chose to bring significantly younger military officers on this high-level trip, which included meetings with Chinese leaders. Even if he retains his position as Commander-in-Chief after the election, the influence and authority of the “fourth-generation” Tatmadaw officials, led by Gen. Kyaw Swar Lin, are likely to grow.

▪️Relevance

As noted in ISP OnPoint No. 27: “If the regime, bolstered by China and some neighbouring states, cannot be defeated militarily in the near future (and if Myanmar’s resistance war once again drags into protraction) the prospect of political change is inevitably tied to the likelihood of reform within the MAF itself.” It is essential to study the dynamics of the Tatmadaw’s fourth generation to formulate the strategies that could influence the power shift of Naypyitaw.