Envoy urges dialogue on Myanmar

China on Friday called on all parties in Myanmar to resolve their differences through dialogue under a “constitutional and legal framework”.

Zhang Jun, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, told a General Assembly informal meeting on the situation in Myanmar that, as a friendly neighbor of Myanmar, China has been paying close attention to the developments in the country.

“We hope all parties in Myanmar will act in the fundamental and long-term interests of the country, properly handle differences through dialogue and consultation under the constitutional and legal framework, maintain political and social stability, peacefully solve problems that have occurred, and continue to promote the domestic democratic transformation process in an orderly manner,” he said.

The UN General Assembly held an informal meeting to hear a briefing by Christine Schraner Burgener, the special envoy of the secretary-general on Myanmar.

Zhang urged all parties to maintain calm and restraint, refrain from intensifying tensions, escalating the situation, and using violence, so as to prevent bloodshed.

He stressed that the situation in Myanmar is the country’s internal affairs.

“The international community should, on the premise of respecting Myanmar’s sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and national unity, help relevant parties in Myanmar conduct dialogue and reconciliation in accordance with the wishes and interests of its people.”

Bridge differences

The voices expressed and measures taken by the international community should help the parties in Myanmar bridge their differences and avoid intensifying tensions, Zhang said.

He said China supports the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which is also known as ASEAN, in playing an active role in easing the current state of affairs in Myanmar “in the ASEAN way”.

The ambassador noted that ASEAN countries are discussing arrangement for an informal special meeting of their foreign ministers, which would provide a useful platform and opportunity for promoting problem-solving, he said.

“We believe that ASEAN, as a mature regional organization, has enough political wisdom to help Myanmar tide over the difficulties,” Zhang added.

The ambassador said China supports Special Envoy Burgener in continuing her mediation efforts, and hopes that she will make extensive engagements to promote peace and talks. He went on to urge the international community to “create favorable conditions and leave necessary space for her work”.

He said the problem of Rakhine State in Myanmar should be resolved by Myanmar and Bangladesh through bilateral dialogue and consultation.

The Myanmar military detained government leaders, including State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint, on Feb 1, following disputes over the election results in November.

Its commander-in-chief, Min Aung Hlaing, took charge of the new government under a one-year state of emergency.