Nikkei Asia, Bangkok and Yangon
Myanmar’s shadow government has said it is ready to work with China on a range of issues, such as promoting direct investment in Myanmar and combatting cross-border crime.
The foreign ministry of the National Unity Government (NUG) released a 10-point “Position on China” on Monday. The document included support for the “One China” principle, which states that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China.
Up to this point, the NUG has not publicly made any gestures toward the Chinese government. This move appears to seek to apply pressure on Myanmar’s military government, which has drawn closer to Beijing.
Ethnic militants have been engaged in conflict with Myanmar’s military. This has intensified over the past two months, and the clashes have disrupted mining operations and trade with China.
The position paper by NUG, the parallel government made up of lawmakers elected under the previous civilian government, seems to be aimed at warding off antagonism from China.
Myanmar’s military government has been deepening public-private collaborations with China, mainly on infrastructure projects tied to Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. The NUG touched on economic cooperation with China as well.
“Aspiring to foster the interests of the people of the two countries, measures will be taken to safeguard Chinese economic investments and other socio-economic enterprises within Myanmar,” the statement said.
Members of the NUG went into hiding or fled abroad after the military took over the government in February 2021. In September 2021, the NUG called for an armed revolt against the military government.
The NUG has been involved in guerrilla attacks against the military by collaborating with ethnic rebels and anti-government groups.
The U.S. and British governments have leaned on the NUG as a channel of dialogue outside of Myanmar’s military government. NUG officials have publicly met with counterparts from both countries.