Are formal interactions with China helping legitimise Myanmar’s junta in the eyes of the world?

A recent Chinese embassy statement referring to coup architect Min Aung Hlaing as the ‘leader of Myanmar’ is among the exchanges decried by the shadow National Unity Government

But analysts say while there are concerns over Beijing’s actions, they should not be over-interpreted – and Asean’s next moves could play a significant role in how the regime is perceived

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China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi (right) bumps elbows with junta representative Wunna Maung Lwin at a June 8 meeting marking the 30th anniversary of formal relations between China and Asean. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 10:02pm, 10 Jun 2021Updated: 12:00am, 11 Jun 2021

Recent formal interactions between Myanmar’s junta and officials from China have raised questions about whether the generals who staged February’s coup are garnering international recognition as the Southeast Asian nation’s legitimate executive authority.

More than 420 civil society organisations on Thursday condemned the actions taken by China since June 5 to acknowledge Senior General Min Aung Hlaing – the architect of the coup – and the military regime as the “leaders” of Myanmar.

The National Unity Government (NUG), a shadow administration comprising allies of the ousted civilian government, has raised an outcry – but analysts say that while there are some valid concerns over Beijing’s actions, they should not be over-interpreted.

The NUG, which includes pro-democracy figures and lawmakers from the ousted National League for Democracy (NLD) who are in hiding or in exile following the coup, has insisted that it should be recognised as Myanmar’s legitimate government. This has not been forthcoming from the international community, though Western countries have openly held talks with the group and targeted economic sanctions and other efforts to play down the junta’s legitimacy are under way.

The most high-profile interaction between the Myanmar military and China took place during talks in Chongqing this week between Southeast Asian foreign ministers and their Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

Over two days, the junta’s foreign affairs point person Wunna Maung Lwin attended a meeting involving the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) as well as separate talks with the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation group. The latter body, which involves China and the five Southeast Asian countries through which the Mekong River flows, is co-chaired by Beijing and Naypyidaw.

From left, foreign minsters Bui Thanh Son of Vietnam,; Saleumxay Kommasith of Laos; Myanmar junta foreign affairs representative Wunna Maung Lwin; China’s Wang Yi, Cambodia’s Prak Sokhonn and Thailand’s Don Pramudwinai at a meeting on June 8. Photo: Xinhua

Statements released by the Chinese foreign ministry quoted Wang Yi – who was present at both discussions – as saying that “China has supported, is supporting, and will support Myanmar in choosing a development path that suits its own circumstances”.