TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
US renews support for Myanmar opposition as China meets junta
Two senior US officials met virtually with the shadow National Unity Government, which consists mostly of lawmakers ousted in a 2021 coup, as well as key ethnic rebel groups including the Karen National Union.
Change text size
Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
This photograph taken and released on Aug. 14, 2024 by the Myanmar Military Information Team shows Myanmar's military chief Min Aung Hlaing (right) meeting with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Naypyidaw. Myanmar's embattled junta chief and China's foreign minister on August 14 discussed security along their shared border where ethnic minority armed groups have captured territory from the Myanmar military in recent weeks, junta media said. (AFP/Myanmar Military Information Team)
T
he United States on Friday promised to keep supporting Myanmar's democratic opposition, after China endorsed the transition plans of the ruling military junta.
Two senior US officials met virtually with the shadow National Unity Government, which consists mostly of lawmakers ousted in a 2021 coup, as well as key ethnic rebel groups including the Karen National Union.
The US officials "commended the groups on their collaborative efforts to work on establishing a path toward an inclusive federal democratic Burma," the State Department said, using Myanmar's former name.
The US officials "reiterated that the United States will continue to expand direct support and assistance to pro-democracy actors" including to "develop concrete steps towards a full transition to civilian governance that respects the will of the people of Burma," it said.
The US officials in the meeting were Tom Sullivan, who is a senior advisor to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Michael Schiffer, the top official for Asia at the US Agency for International Development.
Myanmar's coup upended a 10-year experiment in democracy that had been backed by the United States. The military takeover has unleashed turmoil, with the army not fully in control in parts of the country.
Beijing is a major ally and arms supplier to the junta, whose chief, Min Aung Hlaing, met earlier this week with China's visiting foreign minister, Wang Yi.
Wang voiced support for promises by the junta for a transition that includes elections.
During its time in power, the junta has repeatedly delayed its timetable for polls.
