NAYPYIDAW: As tensions escalate on the Myanmar-China border, Myanmar’s parallel National Unity Government (NUG) has vowed to safeguard Chinese economic investments and enterprises. The NUG’s commitment comes amidst weeks of clashes between the Myanmar military regime and the Brotherhood Alliance of powerful ethnic armies, prompting Beijing to intervene as a peace broker.
The NUG’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on January 1, outlining its position on China. In the statement, the civilian government emphasized the importance of the People’s Republic of China, citing historical ties and China’s global superpower status. The NUG expressed its dedication to fostering mutual respect, trust, and cooperation, valuing the people-to-people relations between the two countries.
Myanmar Pledges to Protect Chinese Economic Investments
To advance the interests of both nations, the NUG pledged to take measures to protect Chinese economic investments and other socio-economic enterprises within Myanmar. The statement affirmed the NUG’s commitment to upholding obligations under treaties or agreements, including boundary treaties, signed before the coup in 2021.
Addressing concerns about national security, the NUG declared that any organization posing a threat to the neighboring countries’ security would not be allowed to establish a presence within Myanmar’s territory. The civilian government emphasized cooperation with China and other neighboring countries to combat transnational crime, including cyber scams, gambling, human trafficking, and the narcotics trade.
The NUG also underscored its respect for the One China principle governing relations between the mainland and Taiwan. Analysts suggest that the statement aims to alleviate Beijing’s concerns about potential damage to its interests amid the ongoing resistance offensive against junta forces.
