China has thrown its weight behind Myanmar’s military junta’s plan to hold fresh elections, a move that has been met with skepticism by the international community. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during a regional meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand, reiterated Beijing’s commitment to supporting political reconciliation in Myanmar, but only within the framework of the country’s constitution, which is widely viewed as favoring the military. This stance solidifies China’s unwavering support for the junta, despite the ongoing turmoil in Myanmar.
The announcement comes at a time when Myanmar is reeling from widespread conflict and political instability following the 2021 military coup that ousted the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. Since then, the country has been gripped by violence, with the military battling not only established ethnic armed groups but also newer pro-democracy forces like the People’s Defence Forces. The junta, headed by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, has repeatedly pledged to hold elections, but these plans have been met with widespread skepticism, with the timeline for the polls being pushed back repeatedly as the junta struggles to quell the nationwide opposition to its rule.
Earlier this week, Wang Yi met with Min Aung Hlaing in the capital, Naypyidaw, where they discussed the prospects for “free and fair multi-party general elections.” The junta has presented these elections as a crucial step towards restoring democracy in the country. However, concerns remain about the legitimacy and fairness of any future polls, with many fearing they could be rigged to perpetuate the junta’s grip on power.
The United States and other Western nations have dismissed the junta’s election plans as a “sham,” highlighting the deeply divided political landscape and ongoing conflict as factors that could lead to further bloodshed if elections are held under the current circumstances.
China’s support for the junta’s election plan aligns with its broader strategic interests in Myanmar. As a key ally and arms supplier to the junta, China has maintained a complex relationship with Myanmar, also engaging with ethnic armed groups that have gained significant territory in the country’s northern Shan State. These groups, including the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), have recently made significant advances against the junta, further complicating the already volatile political scene.
The junta’s inability to maintain control over large swathes of the country has raised concerns in Beijing, particularly as it threatens the stability of the region and the progress of Chinese infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative. Despite these challenges, China continues to back the junta, emphasizing its opposition to “external forces interfering in Myanmar’s internal affairs” and supporting the country’s “independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
The situation in Myanmar remains extremely volatile, with civilians caught in the crossfire of daily bomb blasts, targeted killings, and clashes between military forces and their opponents. The junta’s insistence on holding elections amidst this backdrop has raised alarm bells about the potential for further violence and the long-term implications for peace and stability in Myanmar.
