China Investment in Myanmar
I have a friend from Myanmar who has been living and working outside Myanmar for more than a decade. He still kept in close touch with his family and friends in Myanmar.

I asked him about the attitude of the protestors against the 2021 coup towards China. 

He said that the protesters were generally negative towards China, as they perceived that China was supporting the generals who staged the coup.

I said that China had made large investments in Myanmar, of which a large part was made during the democratically elected government under Aung San Suu Kii. This investments are now jeopardized by the unrest in Myanmar following the coup.

It would be in China's interest for Myanmar to remain peaceful and to develop its country under the democratic government. I do not see how China can benefit from this change of government in Myanmar.

Perhaps the protesters expected China to intervene and put pressure on the military government.  

I believe that it is China's policy not to interfere in the internal politics of any country. I do not see how China could intervene and be involved.

China did lodge a protest to the military government that the factories and businesses set up with Chinese investments were being damaged during the protests and riots. China asked the government to help to protect these assets.

Myanmar is a member of ASEAN. Even the governments of the Asean countries were not able to help Myanmar to resolving its internal conflicts.

The western countries, that have actively promoted democratic practices, do not appear to be taking any strong action against the military government either.

I am sad at the events in Myanmar which has caused a lot of hardship to the people. I hope that some way can be found to reach a peaceful settlement.

Tan Kin Lian

 

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