Will tin be the catalyst metal for Myanmar Peace Process?
(site:http://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-tin-insight-idUSKBN13N1VV)
Those companies and their supply chain partners will
probably be forced to change suppliers of tin for avoiding potential sanctions
risk. Even though USA has lifted most sanctions on Myanmar, UWSA leaders are
still blacklisted by Washington over accusations of drug trafficking.
It is highly expected that the looming sanctions will
become a US policy weapon against the UWSA which has consistently played a
stubborn role in Myanmar Peace Process before and after the NLD government taking
office in April 2016. Aung San Suu Kyi has called on ethnic armed groups
including UWSA to take “calculated risks” participating the historic Peace
Process of Myanmar, and USA has promised to fully support her efforts and
ensure her success.
Since the UWSA has been heavily dependent on China for
many years, the question then arises as what should China do to prevent any
potential border crisis and any damage to its national interests?
Firstly, China should make use of its unique leverages
to persuade UWSA abandoning its undesirable positions of demanding military and
diplomatic privileges in the Peace Process. Aung San Suu Kyi’s attitude towards
UWSA will finally determine the practical implementations of US sanctions.
China’s constructive support for the Peace Process will definitely be of
benefit to development and security of both countries.
Secondly, On Nov. 25 the first Myanmar-China (2+2)
high level consultation was successfully held in Nay Phi Taw. Likewise China
and Myanmar need to form border committees, from township level to much higher
ones, similar to those between Thailand and Myanmar. The border committees are
required to hold regular meetings and actively solve bilateral problems in
early stage.
Thirdly, in collaboration with Myanmar government,
China could introduce environment-friendly and sustainable projects into UWSA
administrative area, most probably in the frame of Belt and Road Initiative.
Peace making and economic development are interdependent processes.
Last but not least, a long-term and stable national
strategy with Myanmar which has been undertaking democratic transition is
urgently-needed for China. This policy should clearly answer following
question: what kinds of roles the ethnic armed groups residing Sino-Myanmar
border will play in the future, the leverage tools and the break-waters for
China side, or the friendship bridges linking China and Myanmar?
Liu Yun
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