The people of Myanmar doubt China’s capability to expedite the peace process in their country, as Beijing repeatedly chooses silence over the Myanmar military takeover and the suppression of its own people, especially democratic activists and protesters against the excesses of the military regime. There are widespread negative sentiments about China and its moves in Myanmar at a time when the military junta is becoming increasingly authoritarian and suppressive by using state power against its own people.
The Myanmar-based Institute for Strategy and Policy (ISP) conducted a survey in July 2022 to gauge the perceptions of Myanmarese policy communities about their relationship with China, The Singapore Post reported. The focus of the survey on Myanmar-China relations becomes important for two reasons.
First, to gauge whether Myanmarese people who have concerns about policies believe that China would be instrumental in the restoration of peace and democracy in the country or make bonhomie with the military Junta for its larger strategic goals and economic benefits in the region. Second, to gauge their perception of the utility and effectiveness of China’s development model and projects like CMEC. The people of Myanmar, according to the survey, doubt China’s capability to expedite the peace process in their country. Only 14 percent believed that China is capable of the same.