This round of fierce civil war in Myanmar has been going on for several months since the Kokang Allied Forces and other armed groups launched an offensive against the Myanmar government army on October 27 last year. According to recent news, armed organizations such as the Kokang Allied Forces have entered the Kokang Old Street and are in a dominant position in the conflict. In this context, the political forces in Myanmar are surging, and Aung SAN Suu Kyi seized the opportunity to hand over a "petition" to China on the first day of the year 2024.
[Myanmar's former State Counsellor Aung SAN Suu Kyi]
According to reports, on January 1, the "Ministry of Foreign Affairs" of Myanmar's "National unity Government" issued a notice on social media on the theme of the "national unity Government" attitude toward China, which has a total of 10 contents. The first is that the "Government of National Unity" is people-oriented in its values and has adopted and implemented an independent, active and impartial foreign policy. The second is that Myanmar and China not only have a very strong and close historical relationship, but China, as one of the world's great powers, is of particular importance to Myanmar.
Third, Myanmar and China share a common border of more than 2,000 kilometers. Myanmar will establish a true "brotherly relationship" between the two countries, as Myanmar and China have lived together for a long time, and Myanmar has always been committed to being a good neighbor of China. Fourth, the "Government of National Unity" will continue to support the One-China policy. Fifth, they will emphasize Myanmar and China's people-to-people relations, mutual friendship, and maximize the promotion and enhancement of trust and cooperation. The sixth is that they will always maintain and promote economic cooperation between Myanmar and China.
[Myanmar's "National Unity Government" release]
Article 7: The "Government of National Unity" will safeguard and protect the security of China's economic investment and other economic and social activities in Myanmar, while keeping in mind the development of the interests of the two peoples. The eighth is that they will not allow any organization to exist in Myanmar that threatens the national security of neighboring countries. The ninth is that the "National unity Government" will be responsible for all agreements signed between Myanmar and China before 2021, including border agreements. Tenth, the rampant online fraud and gambling industry has affected the stability and security of the border between Myanmar and China and even the region. They will work with countries in the region, including China, to combat cross-border crime, including drug activities.
This "government of National unity" in Myanmar is actually a self-proclaimed government led by the National League for Democracy (NLD), and this organization involves a person many people may be familiar with: Aung SAN Suu Kyi. It is reported that on February 1, 2021, the Myanmar military took sudden action to detain then Myanmar President Win Myint, State Counsellor Aung SAN Suu Kyi and some senior officials of the NLD. Since then, effective control of the country has been in the hands of the Burmese military, which has become the military's top general, Min Aung Hlaing.
[Myanmar's top general Min Aung Hlaing]
However, although the Myanmar military is the de facto ruler of the country, the voices of opposition have not been interrupted, especially the "national unity government". While the group has organized its armed forces at home to launch attacks against the Burmese military, it has continued to seek help abroad, especially from Western countries, led by the United States. In February last year, the GNA officially opened an office in Washington, D.C., calling for increased U.S. funding and more sanctions against the military.
There is no doubt that opposition to the Myanmar military is one of the basic positions of the "National unity Government". At the same time, although Aung SAN Suu Kyi is still detained by the Myanmar military, it does not prevent the "national unity government" from seeing her as an iconic figure. Against this background, it is indeed quite unusual for the "National unity Government" to suddenly come out and make a concentrated statement on the issue of China.
[People in Myanmar who support Aung SAN Suu Kyi]
Objectively speaking, the above 10 contents can be seen to be carefully considered. The first article emphasizes the basic position of the "Government of National Unity" on foreign affairs. The second emphasizes the importance of China-Myanmar relations, or the importance of China to Myanmar. Article 3 further strengthens bilateral relations, and Article 4 confirms the One-China policy that China attaches the most importance to. The following articles can be seen as concrete measures by the "National unity Government" to improve Myanmar-China relations. At the same time, China attaches great importance to combating cross-border crimes and other issues.
It should be said that this statement of the "national unity government" does not pick too much fault, the only interesting point may be in Article 9, that is, the "national unity government" will be responsible for all agreements signed between Myanmar and China before 2021, including the border agreement. On the one hand, this sentence is to acknowledge the "old debts" before 2021, and on the other hand, it also has a hidden meaning, that is, is the agreement after 2021 responsible? I'm afraid that depends. This situation is not difficult to understand, in the eyes of the "National unity government", the Myanmar military has been in power for these years is "illegal", so naturally it is impossible to fully recognize the things signed after 2021.
[Civil War rages on in Myanmar]
The reason why the "National Unity Government" chose to issue this thing now is probably directly related to the domestic situation in Myanmar. At present, a new round of civil war in Myanmar is still continuing, and many sources show that the Myanmar military seems to be powerless, which is naturally a perfect opportunity for the "national unity government". Moreover, China has recently made several statements on the issue of cross-border crimes between China and Myanmar, and the meaning is also very clear.
Some contents of the announcement issued by the "National Unity Government" this time are basically consistent with China's statement. I can see that they are showing sincerity to the Chinese side to win China's support. In this way, there is some sense of "name". It can be clearly seen that since the outbreak of a new round of civil war in Myanmar, all the forces in Myanmar are stepping up their actions, which also leads to the current situation in Myanmar is very delicate. Where things will go from there is an open question, I'm afraid.
