On February 1, a military coup took place in Myanmar. The military claimed that the November general election, dominated by Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy (NLD), was fraudulent. The allegations were dismissed due to insufficient evidence, but the military staged a coup in protest. The military declared emergency martial law under Myanmar’s constitution and said it would hand over power to the newly elected government one year later. However, this declaration can be interpreted as Myanmar’s military will continue its dictatorship again, as it had previously for 53 years, in the name of allegations of illegal elections.
Protests are taking place in Myanmar against the military coup. There were no casualties in the early days of the coup, but there have been a series of casualties after a month. With the military and police threatening, assaulting, and firing live ammunition at the protesters, the tragedy continues.
Despite strict warnings from the international community, led by the U.S., Myanmar’s military has not waned. While the U.S. and the Western world are voicing their criticism, China and some Southeast Asian countries are lukewarm. Some Southeast Asian countries have similar political situations to Myanmar. China appears to be supporting Myanmar’s friendly military to expand its influence in Southeast Asia.
China and the U.S. show conflicting responses, and experts say that the Myanmar coup will be an opportunity for the U.S. and China to accumulate influence in the Asia-Pacific region. China believes it will strengthen the Belt and Road Initiative and open the way to the Indian Ocean through Myanmar. The U.S. will pressure China by further strengthening its Indo-Pacific strategy and ensuring Myanmar’s democracy. The Myanmar coup has become a political and diplomatic hub for the United States and China. Given this situation, it is likely to be a new variable between the U.S. and China.
