CPC invites four Myanmar political parties to China

By Admin 17 Jul 2024

DMG Newsroom
17 July 2024, Sittwe

The Communist Party of China (CPC) has invited four Myanmar political parties whose registrations have been approved by the junta’s election body to pay a goodwill visit to China from July 20-27.

The junta-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC) has approved the registrations of 50 political parties nationwide. The CPC has invited the military’s proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), People’s Party, Arakan Front Party (AFP) and Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP) to China.

Political observers said the four parties are close to Myanmar’s military regime.

Political analyst U Pe Than said: “China is concerned that its interests in Myanmar will be harmed by conflicts. China is losing its trust in the regime after it has ceded vast swaths of territory. So, it has invited [ex-president] U Thein Sein [in June], and deputy junta chief Soe Win [earlier this month]. It has now invited four parties.”

According to the invitation letter, representatives of the four political parties will exchange views with Chinese exports on rural development schemes and implementation of China’s trans-national Belt and Road Initiative.

“Those parties have registered with the regime; in other words, they get on well with the regime. The regime wants to make a political change. It wants to salvage its image. China wants to protect its interests and has therefore invited four political parties,” U Pe Than added.

DMG reached out to AFP chair Aye Maung for comment, but did not receive a reply.

In an interview with VOA, Aye Maung said he would observe rural development works in Yunnan Province and hold talks with China’s deputy foreign minister.

Many see an elections-related component to recent Myanmar-China relations as well.

Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing has said the poll his regime has proposed after the coup will be held next year, with the regime preparing to conduct a population census in part to help compile voter lists.

Min Aung Hlaing consistently brings up his plans for the election when he meets visiting Chinese officials, and observers say China’s invitation to the four political parties should be viewed in that context.

Political analyst U Than Soe Naing said: “Min Aung Hlaing said the poll would be held in 2025. So, China has invited those parties to discuss the possibility of the poll, and if it can be fair. Anyway, the regime will not be able to hold a nationwide poll.”

The regime has lost dozens of towns to resistance offensives since November, including much of Arakan State.

High-ranking Chinese officials have visited Naypyidaw this year and former president U Thein Sein visited China in late June, while deputy junta chief Soe Win followed suit earlier this month.