Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s visit to Myanmar seeking to revive peace efforts after last year’s military takeover has provoked an angry backlash among critics, who say he is legitimising the army’s seizure of power.

Hun Sen is the first head of government to visit Myanmar since the military takeover last February.

In his role as the current Asean chairperson, he met Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Photos posted by a military-related publication, the Popular News Journal, showed the two standing side by side in face masks, bumping forearms and seated on ornate gilt chairs before an elaborate golden screen.