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China calls for de-escalation in Myanmar as five protesters killed
Diplomats told AFP that the statement agreed by the Security Council "strongly condemns the use of violence against peaceful protesters," the second show of unity on Myanmar in just over a month for its 15 members, including China.
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Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, Zhang Jun speaks during a United Nations Security Council meeting on August 20, 2019 at the United Nations in New York.
(Agence France Presse/Johannes EISELE )
T
he Chinese ambassador to the United Nations called Wednesday for a "de-escalation" in the crisis in Myanmar, where the junta has pursued a violent crackdown against peaceful anti-coup demonstrators.
"Now it's time for de-escalation. It's time for diplomacy. It's time for dialogue," said Zhang Jun, after the UN Security Council agreed to condemn Myanmar's military over its actions since ousting civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi last month.
Diplomats told AFP that the statement agreed by the Security Council "strongly condemns the use of violence against peaceful protesters," the second show of unity on Myanmar in just over a month for its 15 members, including China.
Zhang said that "China has participated in the (statement) negotiation in a constructive manner.
"It is important the Council members speak in one voice. We hope the message of the Council would be conducive to easing the situation in Myanmar.
"The international community should create an enabling environment for relevant parties in Myanmar to address differences under the constitutional and legal framework.
"China's friendship policy toward Myanmar is for all the people of Myanmar. China stands ready to engage and communicate with the relevant parties, and play a constructive role in easing the current situation."
Meanwhile, Kyodo news reported that at least five people were killed in central Myanmar on Thursday as security forces opened fire on anti-coup protesters, according to local media.
Scores of people have been killed in Myanmar since the military seized power in a coup on Feb. 1, with security forces increasingly resorting to the use of force to quell a wave of protests.
Also, the US government said Wednesday it has added two adult children of Myanmar's coup leader to a list of people subject to US sanctions over the Feb. 1 military takeover and subsequent deadly violence against anti-coup protesters.
The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control said the sanctions are imposed on Aung Pyae Sone and Khin Thiri Thet Mon -- the children of Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing -- as well as their six companies.
The US government imposed sanctions on Min Aung Hlaing and other officers on Feb. 11 following the coup, which ousted the country's elected government. It said then that the spouses and adult children of the individuals could also be blacklisted.
The military chief's two children "have a variety of business holdings, which have directly benefitted from their father's position and malign influence," the Treasury Department said in a statement.
Among the companies owned or controlled by the two children and newly subject to the US sanctions are A & M Mahar, Sky One Construction and the Yangon Gallery.
The sanctions freeze the individuals' assets in the United States and bar them from conducting transactions with Americans.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that Myanmar's security forces, at the behest of military leaders, have attacked unarmed protesters, killing at least 53 people since the coup. "We condemn these horrific attacks," he said.
Blinken indicated that the US government would impose additional sanctions. "We will not hesitate to take further action against those who instigate violence and suppress the will of the people."
