China Extends Support to Myanmar's Military Government Amid Growing Rebellion

State media reported that China was providing technical assistance and other aid to the military-run government of Myanmar. The junta in Myanmar appears to face ever greater pressure from an increasingly stubborn armed rebellion and growing international pressure.

On a trip to the Myanmar capital Naypyitaw on Wednesday, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with General Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the Myanmar military government, and discussed ways in which China can provide support to Myanmar on holding a census and organizing elections. In doing so, the state-run Global New Light Of Myanmar stated that China will offer "necessary technological assistance" for a census process and related "essential aid" to do with the upcoming elections.

Myanmar's military regime prolonged its emergency rule for another six months to complete voter lists for an election, a day after getting the green light from pro-junta militia groups to extend their state of emergency. Though the junta has promised elections next year, this process is viewed as illegitimate by many because the NLD, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, among other parties, have been disbanded. The election is likely to be boycotted by large opposition groups.

While not referring to the assistance, the Chinese foreign ministry said it had been China's policy to support the development of Myanmar in accordance with its own conditions and to respect the political traditions of Myanmar. Wang Yi reiterated China's stance of non-interference in Myanmar's domestic affairs as he condemned external attempts at sowing discord in the relations between the two countries.

Other problems discussed during the visit included unstable border areas of Myanmar with China, ending online gambling and scams, and enhancing economic cooperation. Since October last year, conflict had been simmering in this border region following a big offensive by anti-junta rebels. That operation, which came at great expense to the junta, was briefly delayed by a Beijing-brokered truce before it resumed in June and supercharged the conflict.

The visit of Wang Yi to Myanmar comes as part of a broader diplomatic agenda, as he will attend the meeting of regional foreign ministers taking place later this week in Thailand. The continuous support from China underlines complex international relations in Southeast Asia, wherein the military government of Myanmar has to strike a balance between its efforts toward stabilizing its position and the management of growing dissent within its borders.