China opposes sanctions against Myanmar

BEIJING—China on Tuesday said it “resolutely opposed” sanctions against Myanmar as they would not help resolve the country’s problems.
“Any move by the United Nations Security Council should be prudent and responsible and be conducive to the mediation efforts of the UN secretary-general, and conducive to achieving stability, reconciliation, democracy and the development of Myanmar,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao.
He told a regular press conference that China had noticed the situation in Myanmar was returning to calm and attributed it to the common efforts of the international community and all sides.
He said China hoped the situation would move in a positive direction. “China hopes all relevant sides of Myanmar will maintain restraint and achieve reconciliation, democracy and development and improve the living standards of the people by peaceful means,” he said.
He also said China praised the recent visit to Myanmar by Ibrahim Gambari, special advisor on Myanmar of the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, adding China had taken an active part in the discussion in the UN on the Myanmar issue.
Gambari, who just ended a four-day mission to Myanmar, exchanged views with Myanmar leaders on the domestic situation and made widespread contacts with local people. China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Wang Guangya said Friday that the current situation in Myanmar does not pose any threat to international or regional peace and security.
Addressing the Council members shortly after Special Advisor of the UN Secretary-General on Myanmar Ibrahim Gambari briefed the Council, Wang said Myanmar’s stability serves the fundamental and long-term interests of its people as well as the common interests of the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.
“On this very point, China shares the same position, perspective and expectation with the rest of the international community,” he stated. Wang supported the UN Secretary-General’s good offices, and believed that the United Nations could and should be able to play a constructive role in helping Myanmar.
Meanwhile, the Chinese ambassador noted that Gambari’s visit has achieved some initial results. However, Wang pointed out that “the completion of good offices is not merely up to one or two missions. It is a gradual process that needs to yield tangible results.”
On role of the Security Council in handling the issue of Myanmar, he stressed that “any actions to be conducted by the Security Council should be aimed at facilitating the good offices of the Secretary-General, rather than affecting, or even undermining the mutual trust already established, which is crucial for Gambari’s further efforts.”
Wang also noted that the current situation in Myanmar does not pose any threat to international or regional peace and security, and the future of Myanmar lies in the hands of its own people and the Government through dialogue and consultation. In addition, he said that it is quite understandable for the outside world to express concern or expectation on Myanmar.
“However, pressure will not help address the problem, but might lead to mistrust and confrontation, and even cut off the current channel of dialogue and cooperation between Myanmar and the United Nations,” Wang added. “Therefore, the Security Council should adopt a prudent and responsible approach while handling the issue of Myanmar.”
He expect the international community to kindly help the country to achieve national reconciliation and democratic progress by offering constructive engagement and honest mediation. “The key is a right approach,” Wang emphasized.
Gambari, who just ended a four-day mission to Myanmar from Saturday to Tuesday amid widespread mass demonstrations by Buddhist monks in several parts of the country since Sept. 18, deeply exchanged views with Myanmar leaders on domestic situation and made widespread contacts with local people.—Xinhua