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Myanmar conflict: China unlikely to ‘pull the carpet’ on junta and accept resistance group’s olive branch
- Myanmar’s shadow government says it wants to work with China on issues ranging from investments to cross-border crime
- The NUG’s move comes as China is increasingly concerned about the impact of the Myanmar conflict on its economic interests there
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The move by Myanmar’s shadow government to escalate its bid to oust the junta by seeking support from China is aimed at capitalising on the military’s inability to protect Chinese interests in the Southeast Asian nation, analysts say.
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While the National Unity Government (NUG) is signalling that it can be a reliable partner for China in Myanmar, it is unlikely that Beijing would respond favourably to NUG’s olive branch, according to the analysts.
Last week, the group released a 10-point document outlining its position on China, stating it is ready to work with Beijing on issues ranging from promoting direct investments in Myanmar to combating cross-border crime.
The NUG, comprising elected lawmakers and parliamentarians ousted by the junta in the February 2021 coup, also declared its support for the one-China principle, which states that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.
Htwe Htwe Thein, an associate professor at Australia’s Curtin University, described the statement as a wise and timely move by the NUG, as China appeared to be running out of patience with the coup leaders.
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