Illustration: Liu Rui/GT
Wang Yi,
a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister, is visiting Myanmar, and then will travel to Thailand to co-chair the ninth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers' Meeting and attend the Informal Discussion Between the Foreign Ministers of China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand from Wednesday to Saturday. On Wednesday local time,Wang met with Myanmar's leader Min Aung Hlaing. The Myanmar side expressed gratitude for China's constructive role in advancing peace talks in northern Myanmar and looks forward to continued support from China in maintaining domestic stability and achieving political reconciliation.
In view of conflicts between the Myanmar military and ethnic armed groups, peace and stability are one of the key topics during Wang's visit to Myanmar. Since the significant political changes in Myanmar in February 2021, armed conflicts have not only inflicted severe damage on Myanmar's socio-economic development but also triggered a ripple effect on the peace and stability of the entire Southeast Asian region. Experts told the Global Times that the situation in Myanmar has reached a "critical juncture," making it urgent to advance the peace process and promote dialogue among all parties involved in Myanmar.
Myanmar is a friendly neighbor of China and a member of ASEAN. Peace in Myanmar is a common concern for both China and ASEAN. For China, the escalation of the conflict in Myanmar has affected border stability and the safety of people's lives and property in both countries. ASEAN, which has always emphasized regional peace and cooperation, is also deeply concerned with Myanmar's situation.
"The peace and stability of Myanmar are a key concern for both China and ASEAN," Xu Liping, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. China and Myanmar are both members of the LMC and have engaged in numerous bilateral and multilateral cooperation initiatives within various China-ASEAN frameworks. Promoting the early restoration of peace and stability in Myanmar aligns not only with Myanmar's own interests but also with the security and stability needs of the entire Southeast Asian region.
China and ASEAN have made numerous efforts based on shared interests and goals to promote peace in Myanmar. China has consistently called on relevant parties in Myanmar to uphold dialogue and consultation, end the hostilities as soon as possible, settle disputes in a peaceful manner, and avoid escalation of the situation. It has made great mediation efforts to facilitate talks between Myanmar military and armed groups. Meanwhile, ASEAN has also repeatedly called for an end to violence and for all relevant parties to engage in dialogue. ASEAN's special envoys to Myanmar have made multiple visits to Myanmar for mediation, aiming to promote the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus peace plan.
The West has always viewed China's efforts to mediate in Myanmar with suspicion, hyping that China is seeking to expand its influence in Myanmar and interfere in its internal affairs. This perspective is far from the truth. China's cooperation with Myanmar and its peace-promoting efforts do not equate to interference in Myanmar's internal processes. The principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs is widely recognized in Asia and is the mainstream practice in the region, as it is the most realistic choice for Asian countries.
The path to peace in Myanmar lies in finding a way for all parties to sit down and reconcile. For a long time, China has maintained contact and communication with all parties on the basis of respecting Myanmar's sovereignty and the will of its people. China's mediation has played a constructive role in easing tensions at critical points.
As a responsible major power in the region, China will continue to adhere to the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, maintain a fair and objective stance, and support relevant parties in Myanmar in resolving their differences and achieving ceasefire through dialogue. China will provide all possible support and assistance to the peace process in Myanmar and work in tandem with ASEAN to promote peace in Myanmar.
