ASEAN States Object as China Lobbies for Myanmar Junta to Join Summit, Sources Say

Maintain the principle

A regional diplomat briefed on China’s lobbying effort said its Special Envoy of Asian Affairs Sun Guoxiang visited Singapore and Brunei last week but was told that Ming Aung Hlaing could not participate in the virtual summit.

Sun, faced with the ASEAN opposition, then told Min Aung Hlaing at a meeting in Myanmar’s capital of Naypyidaw on the weekend that China had to accept the ASEAN stand.

China “would maintain the non-political representative principle applied by ASEAN,” the regional diplomat said, citing Sun.

ASEAN has for decades been known for its policy of engagement and non-interference but Myanmar’s coup has changed that.

Also read: Myanmar Opposition Request Representation at ASEAN Meeting in Jakarta

In April, ASEAN brokered a five-point plan at a special leaders’ summit, which Min Aung Hlaing attended, that included pledges to end violence and allow an ASEAN envoy to start a dialog with “all parties,” including ousted lawmakers.

Myanmar has not followed through, saying it has its own “road map” to new elections.
Myanmar's junta chief could still make an appearance at the summit.

Myanmar is China’s coordinating country for ASEAN this year, meaning it helps facilitate its interactions with the bloc.

“Typically, the coordinating member will set up everything, such as the virtual links and so on,” said one source. Myanmar, the source added, may use this role to “slot in” Min Aung Hlaing, even if other ASEAN countries objected.

Source: Reuters