Myanmar should keep good relations with the world’s nations—including China: Suu Kyi

Myanmar should keep good relations with the world's nations—including China: Suu Kyi

Published on Monday, 23 September 2013 21:32

Suu Kyi delivering an address to the Singapore Summit 

Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi says she hopes that Myanmar will maintain good diplomatic relations with all countries in the world—including China.

The National League for Democracy chair made the comment on Saturday during an address to the Singapore Summit, a forum organized by an inter-agency office.

"Myanmar has enjoyed friendly relations with many world nations. It has established a tradition of maintaining good relations not only with neighbouring countries but also with the West," said Suu Kyi.

Myanmar was one of the first countries in the world to recognize the People's Republic of China after the Communist Party came to power there in 1949, she said. Throughout the previous military regime, China offered complete protection to Myanmar as an international leader on the world stage. From the beginning, she added, China achieved more economic opportunities from Myanmar than from other countries. Moreover, the Chinese government had relations only with the Myanmar government but few relations with the opposition and the people.

Since Thein Sein's administration began in 2011, Myanmar has been implementing political and economic reforms. In that time, the country has managed to re-establish friendly relations with the West, including the United States, with whom relations had once been cold. Meanwhile, the Chinese government's relations with Myanmar have extended from the government to the opposition, political parties, and the people. 

Suu Kyi called for the international community to be aware of matters related to conflicts occurring in Rakhine State.

"I would like ASEAN and world nations to note the gentle difference of the problem: that it was not a Muslim and Buddhist problem. The problem was [fear]. Studying the root cause of the problem will help us to overcome it," she told the Singapore Summit.

Suu Kyi pointed out that, while Myanmar is improving its economy, the reform process will ultimately succeed only if the people are united. 

"Conflicts that have occurred in recent months were because of a lack of transparency. Transparency is related to trust," she said.

Intense competition in the economic sector will be good for foreign investors, she said.

During her visit to Singapore, she is scheduled to meet with Singapore government officials and Myanmar citizens visiting Singapore.

 

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