China's Role in Myanmar

According to Chinese writer Lin Baohua (林保华), Myanmar is China's "new Vietnam."

Lin noted that during the Korean war, China had openly declared that Vietnam is China's "hinterland" and that Beijing will do whatever was necessary to prop up the regime. Hence, China supplied Vietnam with material, financial, and military assistance.

But now, China views Myanmar as the "new Vietnam." China has helped its impoverished neighbor built new roads, power stations, paper mills, shipbuilding facilities etc, and has also supplied the military junta with arms and military hardware.

China also reportedly plans to build a harbor in Myanmar that would allow Chinese ships direct access to the Indian Ocean, and an oil pipe connecting China to the Middle East.

Lin added: "人民币居然可以在缅甸流通, 更活像是中国的殖民地. 不过想想缅甸以前是中国的 "藩属", 因此也可以说, "缅甸自古以来是中国领土", 因此这次缅甸发生由僧侣带头的争取自由, 民主, 改善民生群众运动, 中国政府协助甚至命令缅甸政府去"处理"或镇压, 自是"责无旁贷"."

("Even the Chinese currency - the Renminbi - is circulated in Myanmar, which made the country look like a Chinese colony. But if you think about it, Myanmar was a Chinese "vessel state" in the past. Hence it can be said that "Myanmar has been a part of China since ancient times." So when you have this movement spearheaded by monks in fighting for freedom, democracy and the improvement of people's livelihoods, it is the "unshirkable duty" of the Chinese government to order the government of Myanmar to "settle" or quash the movement.")

Lin noted that while Beijing had publicly offered the military junta support, it had also kept in close contact with anti-government forces in the country.

"These two sentiments can be understood. Supporting the military junta is an indication that Beijing is worried that the Chinese might emulate their Burmese counterparts, and thus pose a threat to the control of the CCP. But keeping in close contact with anti-government forces reflects the opportunistic tendencies of the CCP," Lin explained.

Lin added that foreigners had only seen how China had opposed sanctions on Myanmar, but had not understood the "core thinking" of Chinese leaders. And this core thinking is to ensure the stability of Myanmar.

"To understand what Beijing meant by "stability", you have to go back 18 years to June 4th, and you will understand what "stability" means in the CCP's lexicon," Lin added.

Lin's conclusion - apart from condemning the Myanmar government, it is also necessary to highlight the role of the Chinese government. Western countries should not miss the woods for the trees, and that the problem must be tackled both at root and at the source.