BEIJING, China: China has voiced its support for Myanmar’s military junta’s plan to hold new elections as a step towards a “democratic transition.” Since the military seized power from Aung San Suu Kyi’s government in 2021, Myanmar has been engulfed in turmoil, with the coup ending a decade-long experiment with democracy.
The military’s subsequent crackdown has led to widespread fighting with both established ethnic minority armed groups and newer pro-democracy forces.
Beijing, an ally and arms supplier to Myanmar’s junta, also maintains ties with ethnic groups resisting the military in the country’s northern regions.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaking at a regional meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand, expressed support for Myanmar’s efforts to achieve political reconciliation and restart democratic processes through elections.
However, despite the junta’s promises to hold fresh elections, the timeline has been repeatedly delayed as the military struggles to quell opposition across the country.
Myanmar remains deeply divided, with ongoing conflict, daily bombings, and clashes between the military and its opponents. The junta has acknowledged it does not fully control large parts of the country and has reactivated conscription to bolster its forces.
Internationally, there is skepticism about the junta’s election plans. The United States has dismissed any elections held by the junta as a “sham,” and analysts warn that such polls could lead to further violence. Despite this, China and Russia, another close ally of the junta, continue to support the generals’ plans for future elections.
