The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar released a statement on Saturday in response to “groundless accusations by some media and individuals that China interferes in Myanmar’s internal affairs.”
The embassy made the response nearly two weeks after many Myanmar citizens accused China of meddling in the country’s internal affairs after the Chinese government issued a warning to the ethnic Ta’ang National Liberation Army on Aug. 29 “to stop fighting immediately or face consequences.”
In its Saturday statement, China reaffirmed its adherence to non-interference in Myanmar’s domestic affairs, and support for the Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led peace process, again urging relevant parties to stop fighting and engage in talks. “China will continue to play a constructive role,” it said.
One political analyst said: “The message conveyed by the Chinese Embassy is that China holds a neutral stance… because it has drawn harsh criticisms regarding the TNLA issue. There were a lot of interviews and articles [about China’s warning to the TNLA] in the media. So, China does not want to see a surge in anti-Chinese sentiment.”
The National Unity Consultative Council, the advisory body of the civilian National Unity Government, on Aug. 31 condemned China’s warning to the TNLA, saying it was “an impertinent threat and an assault on the TNLA and the popular revolt against the regime”.
Prominent former 88 Generation student leader U Min Ko Naing said he perceived the warning as a threat issued to all revolutionary groups fighting the regime in Myanmar.
An anti-China protest took place on Sept. 4 in Yangon, with protesters shouting “If we burn, you burn with us.”
The Saturday statement says China “opposes any words and deeds that attempt to drive a wedge between China and Myanmar and accuse China groundlessly.”
The statement triggered a backlash as it was issued at a time when Myanmar is suffering widespread deadly floods. Netizens criticized the embassy for issuing such a statement instead of an expression of sympathy.
Myanmar democracy activists in Washington staged a protest outside the Chinese Embassy on Sunday, calling on Beijing not to support the regime.
China is one of the few countries that engage with the military regime, supplying arms and also helping the regime with its plans to conduct a census and an election.
During a recent visit to China by junta Home Affairs Minister Yar Pyae, China signed a memorandum of understanding to provide 5 million yuan (US$700,000) worth of police equipment and supplies to the Myanmar Police Force.
Many Myanmar netizens responded to the statement from the Chinese Embassy and to a news report by Xinhua about the statement, calling on Beijing to stop engaging with the regime.
“If the People’s Republic of China really wants to see peace and stability in Myanmar, it should not support the regime led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, but support the National Unity Government and revolutionary organizations supported by the majority of the people. Only then will peace be restored in Myanmar as early as possible,” one netizen wrote.
