China supports efforts by the Myanmar government to protect its national security and opposes the recent violent attacks in northern Rakhine State, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The military response to insurgent attacks last month by the ARSA extremist terrorists, which has been described as a terrorist group, sent more than thousands of Muslims fleeing to neighbouring Bangladesh and thousands of ethnic people to temporary camps in southern Rakhine.
Myanmar’s government says about 400 people have been killed in the fighting. Britain, France and Australia urged Myanmar leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on Monday to push for an end to military operation. Her national security adviser said those who had fled could return, but the process had to be discussed.
Wang told Guterres at a meeting at the United Nations on Monday that China “understands and supports” Myanmar’s efforts to protect its security in Rakhine and hopes the “fire of war” can soon be extinguished, China’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement released on Tuesday.
China expresses sympathy with those who have fled into Bangladesh and will send humanitarian aid to Bangladesh, Wang said.
“China advocates Myanmar and Bangladesh resolving the problem via dialogue and consultation,” the Foreign Ministry cited Wang as saying.
“China is willing to continue promoting peace talks in its own way, and hopes the international community can play a constructive role to ease the situation and promote dialogue,” he said.
Mr. Wang Yi also told his Indonesian counterpart there should be understanding of the Myanmar government’s efforts to protect social stability and that “violent incidents” in Rakhine state are unacceptable, state media said.
The two met on the sidelines of a United Nations meeting on Tuesday, state news agency Xinhua said on Wednesday.
China and Myanmar have close economic and diplomatic ties and China has defied expectations that democratisation in Myanmar could lead to weaker relations between the two countries.
The meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres came one day after State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi called on the world community to help find peace for Myanmar at a diplomatic briefing in Nay Pyi Taw.
In reaction to her address, diplomats in Myanmar acknowledged that her address contains a very positive message.
“There is no evidence of ethnic cleansing in Rakhine, only a constructive approach can solve the Rakhine issue, which is complicated,” said Russian Ambassador to Myanmar Mr. Nikolay A. Listopadov.
“The Chinese government’s position is very clear. We support the Myanmar government in its efforts for restoring peace and stability in Rakhine,” said Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr. Hong Liang.
Source : Global New Light of Myanmar
