China in touch with ‘all parties’ in Myanmar, embassy says

Diplomatic staff say country is trying to promote ‘peace and discussion’ after reports it spoke to a group representing the ousted civilian government

Beijing has not condemned the coup that removed Aung San Suu Kyi’s administration and some protesters have accused it of backing the military

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A protester stacks bags on a street as a barricade in Myanmar. China has declined to condemn the coup, which has prompted large-scale demonstrations. Photo: ZUMA Wire

Published: 10:02pm, 9 Apr 2021Updated: 11:05pm, 9 Apr 2021

China’s embassy in Yangon said on Friday it had been in touch with “all parties” in Myanmar, when asked about a report that a diplomat had spoken to a parallel government representing Aung San Suu Kyi’s ousted administration.

A counsellor from the embassy spoke by phone with members of the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) last week in the first contact between Chinese officials and the group since the military’s February 1 coup, the Irrawaddy news service reported this week.

The embassy said: “China has been in touch and in communication with all parties in Myanmar.”

“The purpose is to play the role of promoting peace and discussion, promoting the cooling of the situation and maintaining stability in Myanmar, resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, and continuing to drive the process of democratic transformation.”

Unlike Western countries, China has not condemned the army takeover, saying only that it hoped for stability in a neighbouring country where it ranks as the dominant trading partner and a major investor.