Ahead Of The ASEAN Summit, China: Foreign Intervention And Sanctions Do Not Solve Problems In Myanmar

Menteri Lua Negeri China Wang Yi (Wikimedia Commons / Ecuadorian Chancellery)

JAKARTA - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hopes that the ASEAN Summit that will be held related to the Myanmar issue can bring good solutions and solutions for all parties.

ASEAN, currently chaired by Brunei Darussalam, plans to hold a meeting as a joint international effort on Saturday. The main goal, to defuse the crisis in Myanmar which has killed hundreds of people.

Data from the Political Prisoner Assistance Association (AAPP) of Myanmar, as of Wednesday, April 21, as many as 740 people died as a result of the repressive actions of the security forces of the Myanmar military regime since the February 1 uprising.

The meeting is also a test for ASEAN, which has traditionally refrained from meddling in the internal affairs of member countries and operates by consensus.

"The Chinese side hopes that the meeting will be a good start to help achieve a soft landing for the Myanmar situation," said Wang, who is also a State Advisor, as reported by Reuters on Friday, April 23.

Wang Yi said he met the Brunei Foreign Minister and the Thai Foreign Minister, respectively the current and future chairmen of ASEAN.

Although not included in ASEAN, China together with Japan and South Korea are included in the ASEAN Plus Three partner relationship. It is not clear whether China will send a representative to the meeting in Jakarta later.

"Improper intervention from outside the region should be avoided," a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, quoted Wang as saying.

"Practice has proven that applying strong pressure blindly by foreign forces will not help solve a country's internal problems. However, it will bring turbulence or even a deterioration in the situation that will affect and destabilize the region," said Wang.

The United States, the European Union and Britain have been busy imposing punitive sanctions on Myanmar after the country's military coup. Washington has even imposed sanctions several times against the Myanmar military regime.

"China calls on the international community to take an objective and fair stance. Do more to help ease tensions in Myanmar, not the other way around," Wang hoped.

"China will maintain close communication with ASEAN, and continue to handle any work related to Myanmar in its own way," he said.

Myanmar Coup. The VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Casualties from civilians continue to fall. Readers can follow the news surrounding the Myanmar military coup by tapping on this link.