China Warns of ‘Civil War’ in Myanmar, Backs North Korea
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — China’s UN ambassador urged stronger diplomatic efforts to resolve the confrontation in Myanmar since the Feb. 1 military coup, warning that further violence could lead to a chaotic situation "and even a civil war.”
Zhang Jun also warned that "any wrong handling” might lead to further tension in Myanmar.
Zhang, who described Myanmar as "a friendly neighbor,” strongly backed diplomatic efforts by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations known as ASEAN and by UN special envoy for Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener, and expressed hope they would produce results. He said "China is not in favor of imposing sanctions.”
"We should really be creating a more favorable environment for bringing the country back to normal and finding a political solution through dialogues among the relevant political parties within the constitutional and legal framework,” he said.
The coup took place following November elections, which opposition leader Aung Suu Kyi’s party won overwhelmingly and the military contends was marred by fraud.
Zhang was asked whether China was concerned that Myanmar could descend into civil war, given that its military is fighting the Kachin and Karen ethnic minorities, which maintain their own armed forces, while also confronting protesters — amid reports that civilians, mainly students, are now receiving training in the use of weapons in ethnic areas.
"We do have similar concerns,” Zhang said. "We do believe that with diplomatic efforts we can avoid the further escalation of the tension.”
— China’s UN ambassador expressed hope that President Joe Biden’s policy toward North Korea will give more importance to diplomacy and dialogue instead of "extreme pressure”.
Zhang Jun said China also hopes the review of U.S. policy will give equal emphasis to both the nuclear issue and the peace and security issue.
"Without tackling the security and the peace issue properly, definitely we do not have the right environment for our efforts for the denuclearization,” he said.
The White House said last Friday that Biden plans to veer from the approaches of his two most recent predecessors as he tries to stop North Korea’s nuclear program, rejecting both Donald Trump’s deeply personal effort to win over leader Kim Jong Un and Barack Obama’s more hands-off approach. Press secretary Jen Psaki announced administration officials had completed the review of U.S. policy toward North Korea but did not detail its findings.
Zhang Jun also warned that "any wrong handling” might lead to further tension in Myanmar.
Zhang, who described Myanmar as "a friendly neighbor,” strongly backed diplomatic efforts by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations known as ASEAN and by UN special envoy for Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener, and expressed hope they would produce results. He said "China is not in favor of imposing sanctions.”
"We should really be creating a more favorable environment for bringing the country back to normal and finding a political solution through dialogues among the relevant political parties within the constitutional and legal framework,” he said.
The coup took place following November elections, which opposition leader Aung Suu Kyi’s party won overwhelmingly and the military contends was marred by fraud.
Zhang was asked whether China was concerned that Myanmar could descend into civil war, given that its military is fighting the Kachin and Karen ethnic minorities, which maintain their own armed forces, while also confronting protesters — amid reports that civilians, mainly students, are now receiving training in the use of weapons in ethnic areas.
"We do have similar concerns,” Zhang said. "We do believe that with diplomatic efforts we can avoid the further escalation of the tension.”
— China’s UN ambassador expressed hope that President Joe Biden’s policy toward North Korea will give more importance to diplomacy and dialogue instead of "extreme pressure”.
Zhang Jun said China also hopes the review of U.S. policy will give equal emphasis to both the nuclear issue and the peace and security issue.
"Without tackling the security and the peace issue properly, definitely we do not have the right environment for our efforts for the denuclearization,” he said.
The White House said last Friday that Biden plans to veer from the approaches of his two most recent predecessors as he tries to stop North Korea’s nuclear program, rejecting both Donald Trump’s deeply personal effort to win over leader Kim Jong Un and Barack Obama’s more hands-off approach. Press secretary Jen Psaki announced administration officials had completed the review of U.S. policy toward North Korea but did not detail its findings.