Tetoro's LairMyanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi and China
Since 2010 and the first elections in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in 20 years, this country is continuing what seems like an ever changing u-turn. The opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was held prisoner in her house for nearly the same time, was freed just days after that election. Since then reforms, and newer elections were made possible for Aung San Suu Kyi’s party to join the parliament, and occupy 43 seats out of 45. The president who is was part of the military until last year has introduced the changes to its people.
Before, Myanmar was considered by the United Nations as a dictatorship ruled by a powerful military council. The Burmese government changed the capital to Naypyidaw (meaning city of kings) in 2005 and since then developed it with any modern comfort available, whereas the rest of the country is still at power shortage and not living with the same comfort. Of course the usual but awful acts of repressions against opposition parties and rebels. Those rebels include mostly the tribes situated in the north of Myanmar, like Mon or Karen people.
The question we may ask ourselves is way such quick change in the political policy of the Burmese government is taking place after twenty years of harsh dictatorship regime. Part of the answer may be that Myanmar is heavily supported by China, and by that mean, the Chinese government has a great influence on Myanmar internal policies, as it does on North Korea. And since tensions between the Burmese government and local rebels in the regions borderline to China, the People’s Republic of China may have suggested Myanmar to ease its restrictions on minorities and put an end to the incessant fights between them.
Today, Wednesday, Aung San Suu Kyi is in Bangkok. It is a memorable day as this woman did not go out of her country for the last twenty years. She visited Myanmar migrants who escaped the military junta during its dictatorship, and to seek work in Thailand. She will also participate at the World Economic Forum on East Asia. The Burmese President Thein Sein was also to be at the forum, but he delayed his visit to Thailand for one week.
Sources and to go deeper :
Myanmar’s year of hopeful change
Myanmar’s Suu Kyi to visit Thailand next week in first trip abroad in decades
