‘We need to be friends of both’: Aung San Suu Kyi speaks on China, the US, corruption and free speech

Speaking at a small group interview on the sidelines of the Rotary Global Peace Forum in Honolulu, Myanmar opposition leader and democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi said China's political direction should ultimately be decided by the Chinese people. 

On relations with China and the United States:

“I shouldn’t think [Myanmar’s relations with China] will change because you have to remember that we always have a very good relationship with China from the very beginning of the Communist government there.

“At that time, Burma [Myanmar] is practicing democracy, not a perfect one, but working towards democracy, but even then, we maintained very good relations with our neighbours including China.

“I don’t think it needs to be an exclusive relationship [with the United States]. It doesn’t mean we have to be friends with either the US or China. We need to be friends of both. China is a neighbour and the US is a very, very powerful nation that is eager to help an emerging democracy.”

On corruption problems:

“Recently I have been discussing the corruption problems in Burma [Myanmar] with quite a lot of high-level officials and many of them say, well, if you can prove somebody is corrupt or has been engaged in corrupt practices, you can provide evidence. We shall sack them.