Mixed bag

2 February 2021 By Pete Sweeney Follow @petesweeneypro

Beijing has refrained from condemning the army’s ousting of Aung San Suu Kyi’s party. China may gain influence as Myanmar’s largest trading and FDI partner. But the junta is unfriendly, and instability will dampen demand for Chinese exports and undermine investment.

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The United Nations led condemnation of Myanmar's military on Feb. 1 after it seized power and called for the release of elected leaders, including Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The Myanmar army said it had taken action in response to "election fraud".

"We have noted what has happened in Myanmar and are in the process of further understanding the situation," China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a daily news briefing in Beijing the same day. "China is a friendly neighbour of Myanmar's. We hope that all sides in Myanmar can appropriately handle their differences under the constitution and legal framework and safeguard political and social stability."

In January the Chinese government's top diplomat, Wang Yi, met military chief Min Aung Hlaing, who has now assumed power, during a visit to Myanmar.

Context News

In January the Chinese government's top diplomat, Wang Yi, met military chief Min Aung Hlaing, who has now assumed power, during a visit to Myanmar.

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