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.
China backs Asean mediation in Myanmar crisis
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.
Following a meeting between Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and the Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, the two countries said in a joint statement that they had told officials to make the “necessary preparations” for the meeting at the Asean secretariat in Jakarta.
Wang said China is willing to coordinate positions with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in a timely manner and provide necessary assistance to the bloc.
He continued: “We call on all parties in Myanmar to exercise the utmost restraint to stop violence and prevent another bloody conflict that aggravates civilian casualties. We all urge all parties in Myanmar to seek political understanding through dialogue within the constitution and legal framework as soon as possible.”
Beijing has described the measures as foreign interference in its core concerns and retaliated with sanctions of its own.
The United States has also suspended all engagement with Myanmar under a 2013 trade and investment agreement until the return of a democratically elected government.
Myanmar’s ethnic armed groups, and why their threats against junta could spiral into more conflict
The move follows sanctions on the two entities owned by Myanmar’s military, the Myanmar Economic Holdings Public Co Ltd and Myanmar Economic Corporation.
In a speech to soldiers carried in state media on Sunday, Min Aung Hlaing, the junta’s leader, said security forces were “exercising the utmost restraint” against armed rioters who were causing violence and anarchy.
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Three-finger salutes seen at Myanmar funerals as deaths from military crackdowns surpass 500
China has refrained from condemning the coup, which has seen over 500 protesters killed, leading to rising anti-China sentiment and complaints in Myanmar that it is siding with the military junta.
Beijing has denied involvement in the coup and Wang said China would continue to maintain contact and communication with all parties in Myanmar.
China warns US against taking a superior position in global affairs
Wang’s meeting with his foreign counterparts came as Beijing and the US are both reaching out to their partners in the region.
Wang denied that China is trying to extend its influence abroad by supplying Covid-19 vaccines, and said China is willing to implement a code of conduct for the South China Sea.
