Why Beijing is propping up Myanmar’s brutal junta

“ What’s at stake in this election for the military is its credibility as the leader going forward,” Joe Freeman, Myanmar researcher for Amnesty International told the Battle Lines: Global Health Security podcast. 

The purpose of the  election, he said, “is to create kind of an off-ramp from this five years of military rule and show the international community that it’s ready to lead as a responsible civilian government. Of course, that’s all a mirage.”

The election, which concludes this week, is not just a veneer of democracy for Myanmar but also a bid by the Chinese to ensure one of its closest neighbours remains stable. 

Myanmar shares a 1,300 mile border with China, providing an important link for Beijing to the Indian Ocean.

Many note the irony of China, a one party state, supporting a supposedly multi-party election. Beijing sent election monitors and provided technological assistance and funding so that the junta can compile voter lists.

“ China will do what is in its interest at the end of the day. We seem to be returning to a kind of era of spheres of influence in which big countries essentially seek to dominate smaller countries,” said Mr Freeman. 

Russia has also become a strong supporter of Myanmar’s military leadership, similarly sending election monitors. 

“I  lost count of the kind of trips Min Aung Hlaing [ruler of Myanmar] was being taken to in Russia,” said Mr Freeman, “And of course, Russia provides weapons and fighter jets and things that help Myanmar keep the upper hand in the conflict as well.” 

Meanwhile, the instability of five years of brutal civil war has crippled Myanmar’s economy, plunging many voters into poverty. The value of the currency has dropped by 80 per cent against the US dollar since 2020, and with inflation now at 30 per cent.

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