Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warns Asean to be alert to external forces interfering in Myanmar
- Wang accuses unnamed ‘external forces’ of provoking trouble after wrapping up a series of meetings with Southeast Asian counterparts
- Asean chair Brunei backs a meeting of the bloc to discuss the situation as protests calling for a return to civilian rule continue
Wrapping up his week-long series of meetings with his counterparts from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines in Fujian, Wang said efforts should be made to stop tensions escalating in Myanmar.
“We are aware that we have to be alert to some external forces infiltrating Myanmar with ulterior motives, provoking trouble and intensifying divisions, which makes the situation more complicated,” Wang told Chinese state media following the meetings.
“We all hope that the international community will uphold an objective and fair attitude and create a favourable external environment for Myanmar’s domestic political reconciliation, instead of arbitrarily imposing sanctions and pressure.”
Wang made the remarks as Brunei, the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, backed a meeting of the bloc’s leaders to discuss the situation in Myanmar, which is also a member of the grouping.
Indonesia has led Asean’s efforts to encourage a negotiated solution despite a long-standing policy of not commenting on each other’s domestic problems.