China keeps eye on Myanmar coup, but observers see no cause for action by Beijing

Name: China hopes Myanmar resolves differences under legal framework after Aung San Suu Kyi detained
Uploaded: 2021-02-01T10:47:33.000Z
Duration: 28 s
Description: China hopes Myanmar resolves differences under legal framework after Aung San Suu Kyi detained

Both sides in the turmoil have ‘cordial’ relations with Beijing, putting China in an awkward spot, says military source

China is the second biggest investor in Myanmar and Foreign Minister Wang Yi made it the first stop on his recent Asian tour

Reading Time:3 minutes

Why you can trust SCMP

Soldiers stand guard on a blockaded road to Myanmar’s parliament in Naypyidaw on Monday after the military detained the country’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the country’s president in a coup. Photo: AFP

Kristin Huang

Published: 6:47pm, 1 Feb 2021Updated: 10:19am, 2 Feb 2021

China is closely watching the situation in Myanmar after the country’s military staged a coup and detained democratically elected leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, on Monday.

Observers said short-term turmoil in Myanmar was expected and it may hit business sentiment already suffering from the effects of the pandemic. But they say Beijing could afford to take a wait-and-see approach amid predictions the situation would become more stable in the long term.

The Chinese foreign ministry underlined the position on Monday.

“We have noticed what happened in Myanmar and we are learning more about the situation,” ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said.

“China and Myanmar are friendly neighbours. We hope that all parties will properly handle their differences under the constitution and legal framework to maintain political and social stability.”

00:28

China hopes Myanmar resolves differences under legal framework after Aung San Suu Kyi detained

The remarks came after a military coup in Myanmar against the government of Suu Kyi for allegations of fraud in the November general election, which her National League for Democracy (NLD) party won in a landslide.