On the other hand, there are states who adopts ‘business as usual’ attitudes towards Myanmar. China and Russia refused to condemn and impose sanctions on the Burmese junta. Moreover, since the February coup, both Beijing and Moscow continue to sell deadly arms and bolster diplomatic support for the Burmese junta.
However, the fact that both states have also pressed for inclusive dialogues in Myanmar cannot be simply dismissed. In his visit to Myanmar, then Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi made it clear to his Burmese counterparts that Myanmar should engage with all relevant parties to end the escalating civil violence and bring about reconciliation. Similarly, Russia despite seeing the Myanmar crisis as an internal affair has on several occasions called for peaceful dialogues between competing parties in Myanmar.
China and Russia might have chosen engagement with the Burmese junta but ultimately these states have interests in bringing about violence cessation and inclusive dialogues in Myanmar which are exactly points of convergence with ASEAN’s 5-point consensus. To date, ASEAN have yet to engage Russia and China on the Myanmar issue. ASEAN can capitalize on China and Russia complementary interests to bring about a collective position on pressuring the Burmese junta towards violence cessation and holding of inclusive dialogue. A united front will exert a harder push on the Burmese junta towards resolving Myanmar’s chaos.
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In addition, with China and Russia’s considerable influence in Myanmar, ASEAN can engage both Beijing and Moscow to play ‘bridge-making’ roles whereby they simultaneously engage with the Burmese junta, the National Unity Government (NUG), anti-coup fighters, and other concerned stakeholders on a bilateral basis and to help facilitate conditions for an inclusive dialogue. ASEAN has good chances to tap on China and Russia for this task given that both Beijing and Moscow have large economic interests to protect in Myanmar.
ASEAN must act in a steadfast manner in engaging its dialogue partners to push for the implementation of 5-point consensus in Myanmar. If Myanmar’s worsening situation is allowed to spiral uncontrollably, the structural integrity of ASEAN will be severely compromised.
Anthony Toh Han Yang is a graduate of International Relations, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. His research interests include ASEAN and China affairs.