Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 03 Feb 2021, 08:45 am Print
Image: Wikimedia Commons
A leading newspaper opinion piece has claimed that China will defend the coup makers in Myanmar.
"As the US and other Western countries threaten to impose sanctions on Myanmar’s coup makers and their associates, Beijing ultimately doesn’t mind who runs the government in Naypyitaw. As long as they protect China’s geopolitical and business interests, China will back them," read an opinion piece written by Aung Zaw, founding Editor-in-Chief, The Irrawaddy.
"We can therefore expect China to defend the coup makers, who have also expressed support for BRI projects in Myanmar," he wrote in The Irrawaddy.
"In July last year, Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing assured China that the armed forces would continue to guarantee the implementation of the BRI in the country, saying he believes it will support the peace process and national development," he wrote.
Myanmar’s military on Tuesday announced the creation of a State Administrative Council that will take on government functions during the one-year state of emergency, the media reported.
According to the Myanmar Times newspaper, the 11-member council is headed by Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, reports Sputnik news agency.
The council was created in line with the 419th section of the 2008 constitution that envisions that the head of the military, to whom sovereign power is transferred, has the right to exercise legislative, executive and judicial powers himself or via a specially created governing body.
Myanmar's military launched the coup on Monday morning placing State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and other senior members of National League for Democracy (NLD) in jail.
The military announced a one-year state of emergency in the country, vowing to "take action" against alleged voter fraud during the November 8 general election, which saw Suu Kyi’s NLD party win resoundingly.
The military said it was committed to the democratic system and vowed to hold new and fair elections when the state of emergency ends.
Global leaders overwhelmingly condemned the military coup and called for the immediate release of all political detainees.
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