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While China and Russia involved in the game, ASEAN’s attempts for Myanmar issue may not be helpful

While China and Russia involved in the game, ASEAN’s attempts for Myanmar issue may not be helpful

By - K.Z. Lu 

Moemaka , June 3 , 2025


Myanmar is an Achilles’ heel of the ASEAN region concerning serious war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by its armed forces since the military coup in February 2021, and in previous conflicts, particularly against ethnic minorities. Reliable international organizations and independent inquiries have documented treacherous war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Myanmar soldiers. 

 Why? The country has been under military dictatorship for more than five decades since 1962. Myanmar (formerly Burma) first fell under military dictatorship on March 2, 1962, when General Ne Win led a coup d’état that ousted the constitutionally elected government of Prime Minister U Nu. This marked the beginning of military rule in the country, with the establishment of an Orwellian socialist state under the Burma Socialist Program Party (BSPP).

After pro-democracy uprisings in 1988 (1988–2011), State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) / State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) so-called civilian government under military seized power for additional twenty-six years. Elections in 1990 were won overwhelmingly by Aung San Suu Kyi’s NLD, but results were ignored. Then Than Shwe ruled the country by cunning ways and paved the way for the military's comeback via the 2008 biased constitution while the country was facing the catastrophic Nargis Cyclone.

Afterwards, President Thein Sein Government took the office by way of the 2008 Constitution which was designated for continuous pro-military administration under civilian disguises. Unexpectedly, Aung San Suu Kyi’s NLD Party won landside victory in 2015 elections under the 2008 Constitution. Moreover, the NLD won another landslide triumph in the 2020 elections. The military faction got shocked and totally mad since their pro-military party headed by Thein Sein lost the polls.

As a result, on February 1, 2021, the military (Tatmadaw) staged another coup, detaining elected leaders and annulling the 2020 voting results. Myanmar is currently under the control of the military junta led by Min Aung Hlaing. Hence, the initial fall into military dictatorship was in 1962, but the military has continued to dominate Myanmar people’s constitutional rights for most of the time since. Without considering the past happenings in Myanmar, most observers may not understand the desires of its peoples.

Accordingly, present days leaders of the ASEAN should consider the sufferings of Myanmar people for over fifty years under the military's harsh rulings. The people have lost their dreams for democratic society under open market systems. Moreover, they totally lost their rights to take part in the free voting system. The sole desire of the Myanmar people is to dethrone the military dictatorship as soon as possible in order to reinstate the federal democracy system.

Without knowing the people’s aspirations, ASEAN leaders may not reach an acceptable conclusion in resolving the Myanmar issue. Even though, new generations in Myanmar are taking part in armed struggles or revolution for system changes. As a result, younger generations are more enthusiastic about crushing the military rulings than name-sake peace talk and launching fake elections that may pave the way for the military's comeback.

ASEAN has undeniably encountered significant criticism for its handling of the Myanmar catastrophe since the military coup in February 2021. Most observers argue that it has neglected yet another opportunity for important proceedings concerning Myanmar turmoil.

ASEAN has again failed satisfying the people of Myanmar, says the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (SAC-M). The 46th ASEAN Summit was another pointless opportunity to take meaningful action on Myanmar. ASEAN leaders once again failed to move beyond commonplaces, fortifying four years of failure by the regional coalition.

“That ASEAN continues to default to the redundant Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar shows an alarming lack of urgency, commitment and creativity in tackling the biggest regional crisis in half a century,” said Marzuki Darusman of SAC-M.

SAC-M mentioned in its statement that during ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Kuala Lumpur, a Myanmar junta airstrike on a wedding in Kyaukkyi Township of Bago Region killed at least 10 civilians, including the bride and two children, according to media reports. This attack came less than two weeks after the junta bombed a school in Depayin Township, killing 22 children and two teachers and injuring as many as 105 other civilians.

Regardless of widespread reporting on these and other junta atrocities, SAC-M pointed out a new Statement from ASEAN leaders bizarrely expressed appreciation for the junta’s non-existent ceasefire and called for its extension and expansion. ASEAN leaders also continue to perpetuate a perverse equivalence between the junta’s widespread and systematic atrocities against civilians and the resistance efforts of revolutionary forces.

“Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing’s relentless attacks on civilians make a sick mockery of ASEAN’s claims that the junta has implemented a ceasefire or that it has any intention of doing so,” said Yanghee Lee of SAC-M.

“If ASEAN is serious about stopping the violence, it should immediately request the UN Security Council to step in and impose a countrywide ceasefire in Myanmar with international monitors to enforce the junta’s compliance,” added Chris Sidoti of SAC-M.

In addition, ASEAN's principle of non-interference continues to hinder decisive action. Member states like Thailand and Cambodia have engaged the junta unofficially, while others like Indonesia and Malaysia insist on a harder stance. This lack of consensus leads to slow devastation of ASEAN's credibility.

Other international actors like the UN, EU, and U.S. have criticized ASEAN’s idleness and continue to call for more active regional leadership. ASEAN risks becoming inappropriate or suspended in forthcoming solutions for Myanmar if it doesn't take an effective commitment.

It is remarkable that ASEAN leaders emphasize their sole objective of restoring peace, stability and democracy in the country by means of its people’s political determination, for the interest and well-being of the people of Myanmar.

However, it is impossible to comply with SAC-M’s suggestion that Prime Minister Anwar as ASEAN Chair must arrange a new process of direct engagement with the National Unity Government, Ethnic Resistance Organizations, minority representatives and Myanmar civil society. It may not have happened due to stubbornness of the junta’s chief who thinks he has the backing of China’s Xi Jinping as well as Russia’s Putin.

Myanmar’s junta chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, appears to believe he has the backing of both China and Russia, and has enthusiastically promoted relationships with both powers to sustain his illegal leadership since the 2021 February coup.

China keeps on a key economic and political partner for the Myanmar junta. Beijing has granted humanitarian aid, diplomatic engagement, and arms sales, while also protecting Myanmar from stronger international condemnation at the UN Security Council. President Xi Jinping met with Min Aung Hlaing in Moscow in May 2025, guaranteeing assistance for reconstruction and peace efforts following Myanmar’s devastating March 28 Sagaing earthquake.    

Russia has also become apparent as a more enthusiastic benefactor of the junta. Min Aung Hlaing has visited Moscow multiple times, including a high-profile meeting with President Vladimir Putin in March 2025, where the two signed agreements on nuclear energy, trade, and military cooperation. Russia supplies sophisticated weaponry and technical support, helping the junta maintain its air-force amid internal conflict. Moreover, Russia has defended Myanmar diplomatically, using its UN Security Council position to block punitive measures.

Hence, under the shadows of Xi Jinping and Putin, Min Aung Hlaing might think himself stronger enough to oppose ASEAN’s suggestion of putting aside his sham election dream in December. Nonetheless, he should clearly realize that the majority of people in Myanmar not only opposed his regime but also disgusted atrocious airstrikes upon ordinary civilians made by his decisions.




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