China comes to Myanmar’s aid in face of sanctions
Larry Jagan, September 26, 2017
While some countries mull possible sanctions against Myanmar, China stands poised to use the opportunity to prove its friendship. At issue is the situation in Rakhine, which has forced more than 400,000 Muslim Rohinygas – or Bengalis as the government insists on calling them — to flee across the border to Bangladesh for safety.
The international community has been quick to urge the Myanmar government to take immediate steps to remedy the root causes of the communal conflict in Myanmar’s western state. After meeting with ASEAN foreign ministers over the weekend, the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the UN would work with ASEAN on providing humanitarian aid to the refugees and finding constructive approaches to resolve the problems in Rakhine.
The UN head called for three immediate actions to be taken: the suspension of military and security operations, unfettered access to affected communities for humanitarian agencies, and allowing the safe return of those who fled the country in the wake of the attacks. The State Counselor, in her televised address to the international community and nation last week, insisted these were already being implemented.
“At present, humanitarian assistance is our first priority,” Myanmar’s Vice President Henry Van Thio told the UN General Assembly last week, echoing the Aung San Suu Kyi’s comments the day before. “We are committed to ensuring that aid is received by all those in need, without discrimination,” he declared.
A new government-led mechanism, established in cooperation with the Red Cross Movement, has also already started distributing humanitarian assistance, according to senior government officials. ASEAN countries have been in the forefront of offering assistance for these activities. But the government is yet to indicate how it proposes to implement the broader recommendations of the Kofi Annan led Advisory Commission on Arakan.
On the eve of the ASEAN-UN meeting in New York, the foreign ministers issued a statement on their preparedness “to support the Myanmar Government in its efforts to bring peace, stability, rule of law and to promote harmony and reconciliation between the various communities, as well as sustainable and equitable development in the Rakhine State.”
The Myanmar government’s plans for Rakhine is not going to deflect further criticism this week at the UN. For western countries, though, commitment is not enough: they want to see concrete action. And some countries – particularly members of the Organization of Islamic States – are contemplating calling for the renewal of sanctions until the situation with the refugees at least, is resolved.
Recently the United Kingdom suspended an aid program it provided to Myanmar’s military — on democracy, leadership and English language – until there is an acceptable resolution to the current situation. Though it only amounts to around US$ 411,000 last year – it maybe a precursor of more sanctions to come: particularly designed to punish the military for their behaviour.
This was a very nuanced approach on the part London – as it sends a shot across the military’s commander-in-chief, Senor General Min Aung Hlaing’s bows, as the general tries frantically to broaden the army’s sources of hardware and military training for its officers. The military chief has also been desperately courting Washington – since recent hints that the Pentagon was not interested in improving their bilateral relationship, with Congresses’ approval.
The British move may now delay any further movement in that direction, especially as the Senior General will know that the suspension of the aid programme most certainly has Aung San Suu Kyi’s approval. Of course this also underlines one of the hidden tensions in government – between Aung San Suu Kyi and the army commander. The State Counselor fears that the increased international criticism of the government’s handling of Rakhine has weakened her position in relation to the army chief – who is increasingly seen in the country as a hero.
As international criticism mounts, especially at the UN, Beijing wants to take advantage of Aung San Suu Kyi’s isolation. The Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi has publicly backed the Myanmar government’s efforts to protect its national security and oppose the recent violent attacks in Rakhine State.
“China is willing to continue promoting peace talks in its own way, and hopes the international community can play a constructive role to ease the situation and promote dialogue,” Wang Yi said after a meeting with the UN secretary general recently.
For Myanmar’s diplomats, that is understood to mean that Beijing would use its veto at the UN to stop any moves to impose sanctions against Myanmar. It is reminiscent of the past, according to a senior Myanmar diplomat who declined to be identified, “when China protected us from international censure.” And again, ASEAN will stand with its fellow member, Myanmar. While it is unlikely to come to that, it has given Beijing a golden opportunity to underline its unwavering support for its ally. This has become an important strategic concern for China – fearing that the Myanmar military is seeking too many “alternative friends” – Beijing has thrown its political weight behind the country’s civilian leader, rather than the army.
Beijing is especially suspicious of Delhi’s recent overtures to Myanmar – both to Aung San Suu Kyi and Min Aung Hlaing. And as far as the commander-in-chief is concerned, it may not be entirely misplaced. In recent visits abroad, especially to Delhi and Tokyo, Min Aung Hlaing is reported to have stressed the Myanmar military’s independent position on Beijing, hinting that Aung San Suu Kyi had completely entered the Chinese camp.
Beijing’s qualms about the commander-in-chief’s outlook, have not gone unnoticed in the army’s top leadership, and according to senior military sources, Min Aung Hlaing is likely to visit Beijing in the coming weeks, to allay their concerns.
But what remains certain is that China and Myanmar have strengthened their bilateral relations, for both strategic and economic reasons. This will be highlighted when the Chinese president, Xi Jinping visits Myanmar, expected to take place in early November.
http://southasianmonitor.com/2017/09/26/china-comes-myanmars-aid-face-sanctions/
Larry Jagan, September 26, 2017
While some countries mull possible sanctions against Myanmar, China stands poised to use the opportunity to prove its friendship. At issue is the situation in Rakhine, which has forced more than 400,000 Muslim Rohinygas – or Bengalis as the government insists on calling them — to flee across the border to Bangladesh for safety.
The international community has been quick to urge the Myanmar government to take immediate steps to remedy the root causes of the communal conflict in Myanmar’s western state. After meeting with ASEAN foreign ministers over the weekend, the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the UN would work with ASEAN on providing humanitarian aid to the refugees and finding constructive approaches to resolve the problems in Rakhine.
The UN head called for three immediate actions to be taken: the suspension of military and security operations, unfettered access to affected communities for humanitarian agencies, and allowing the safe return of those who fled the country in the wake of the attacks. The State Counselor, in her televised address to the international community and nation last week, insisted these were already being implemented.
“At present, humanitarian assistance is our first priority,” Myanmar’s Vice President Henry Van Thio told the UN General Assembly last week, echoing the Aung San Suu Kyi’s comments the day before. “We are committed to ensuring that aid is received by all those in need, without discrimination,” he declared.
A new government-led mechanism, established in cooperation with the Red Cross Movement, has also already started distributing humanitarian assistance, according to senior government officials. ASEAN countries have been in the forefront of offering assistance for these activities. But the government is yet to indicate how it proposes to implement the broader recommendations of the Kofi Annan led Advisory Commission on Arakan.
On the eve of the ASEAN-UN meeting in New York, the foreign ministers issued a statement on their preparedness “to support the Myanmar Government in its efforts to bring peace, stability, rule of law and to promote harmony and reconciliation between the various communities, as well as sustainable and equitable development in the Rakhine State.”
The Myanmar government’s plans for Rakhine is not going to deflect further criticism this week at the UN. For western countries, though, commitment is not enough: they want to see concrete action. And some countries – particularly members of the Organization of Islamic States – are contemplating calling for the renewal of sanctions until the situation with the refugees at least, is resolved.
Recently the United Kingdom suspended an aid program it provided to Myanmar’s military — on democracy, leadership and English language – until there is an acceptable resolution to the current situation. Though it only amounts to around US$ 411,000 last year – it maybe a precursor of more sanctions to come: particularly designed to punish the military for their behaviour.
This was a very nuanced approach on the part London – as it sends a shot across the military’s commander-in-chief, Senor General Min Aung Hlaing’s bows, as the general tries frantically to broaden the army’s sources of hardware and military training for its officers. The military chief has also been desperately courting Washington – since recent hints that the Pentagon was not interested in improving their bilateral relationship, with Congresses’ approval.
The British move may now delay any further movement in that direction, especially as the Senior General will know that the suspension of the aid programme most certainly has Aung San Suu Kyi’s approval. Of course this also underlines one of the hidden tensions in government – between Aung San Suu Kyi and the army commander. The State Counselor fears that the increased international criticism of the government’s handling of Rakhine has weakened her position in relation to the army chief – who is increasingly seen in the country as a hero.
As international criticism mounts, especially at the UN, Beijing wants to take advantage of Aung San Suu Kyi’s isolation. The Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi has publicly backed the Myanmar government’s efforts to protect its national security and oppose the recent violent attacks in Rakhine State.
“China is willing to continue promoting peace talks in its own way, and hopes the international community can play a constructive role to ease the situation and promote dialogue,” Wang Yi said after a meeting with the UN secretary general recently.
For Myanmar’s diplomats, that is understood to mean that Beijing would use its veto at the UN to stop any moves to impose sanctions against Myanmar. It is reminiscent of the past, according to a senior Myanmar diplomat who declined to be identified, “when China protected us from international censure.” And again, ASEAN will stand with its fellow member, Myanmar. While it is unlikely to come to that, it has given Beijing a golden opportunity to underline its unwavering support for its ally. This has become an important strategic concern for China – fearing that the Myanmar military is seeking too many “alternative friends” – Beijing has thrown its political weight behind the country’s civilian leader, rather than the army.
Beijing is especially suspicious of Delhi’s recent overtures to Myanmar – both to Aung San Suu Kyi and Min Aung Hlaing. And as far as the commander-in-chief is concerned, it may not be entirely misplaced. In recent visits abroad, especially to Delhi and Tokyo, Min Aung Hlaing is reported to have stressed the Myanmar military’s independent position on Beijing, hinting that Aung San Suu Kyi had completely entered the Chinese camp.
Beijing’s qualms about the commander-in-chief’s outlook, have not gone unnoticed in the army’s top leadership, and according to senior military sources, Min Aung Hlaing is likely to visit Beijing in the coming weeks, to allay their concerns.
But what remains certain is that China and Myanmar have strengthened their bilateral relations, for both strategic and economic reasons. This will be highlighted when the Chinese president, Xi Jinping visits Myanmar, expected to take place in early November.
http://southasianmonitor.com/2017/09/26/china-comes-myanmars-aid-face-sanctions/
