China has expressed support for Cambodia’s divisive diplomatic initiative on Myanmar. Days after Prime Minister Hun Sen made his controversial visit to the Myanmar capital Naypyitaw, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said China supports the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ efforts to resolve issues related to its neighboring country in accordance with the “ASEAN way,” and to successfully implement the bloc’s Five-Point Consensus. Myanmar and Cambodia are members of ASEAN.
He said, “China appreciates Myanmar’s readiness to create favorable conditions for ASEAN’s special envoy to fulfill his duty, and works toward effective alignment between Myanmar’s five-point roadmap and ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus. China will fully support Cambodia, the rotating chair of ASEAN, in playing an active role and making [an] important contribution to properly managing the differences among parties of Myanmar through political dialogue and restoring stability and achieving development at an early date.”
Analysts believe China is eager to restart its infrastructure projects in Myanmar.
