Myanmar’s civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, facing growing international criticism over her country’s persecution of Rohingya Muslims, said on Friday her government had made progress in creating a peaceful society but acknowledged that “much still remains to be done.”
In remarks on a visit to Beijing, Ms. Suu Kyi did not directly address the crisis that has seen more than 6,20,000 Rohingya flee the country over the last few months in what the U.N. and the U.S. say is a campaign of ethnic cleansing by Myanmar.
Ms. Suu Kyi, who spent 15 years under house arrest during the nation’s military rule, has come under widespread criticism for not speaking out against the violence. However, Ms. Suu Kyi was warmly welcomed in China, Myanmar’s friendly northern neighbour, including when she met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday.
‘Much still remains’
Ms. Suu Kyi spoke at a gathering of political parties hosted by China’s ruling Communist Party and said her National League for Democracy-led government “has made progress in its endeavours to create a peaceful, stable and harmonious society.”
“But much still remains to be done,” she added.
China has avoided criticising the crisis and state media did not say whether the issue was discussed during her meeting with Mr. Xi. The two leaders hailed the potential for future cooperation through a “China-Myanmar economic corridor,” state broadcaster CCTV reported.
Ms. Suu Kyi’s visit comes just a week after Min Aung Hlaing, the commander of Myanmar’s military, held his own talks with Ms. Xi in Beijing. Myanmar’s Army remains politically powerful and the civilian government has no control over certain areas such as defence and national security.
Analysts said Beijing has likely won greater leverage over Myanmar by helping shield it from criticism over the Rohingya crisis.
“Myanmar has leaned toward China because of international criticism and condemnation on Myanmar over the crisis,” said prominent Myanmar political analyst Yan Myo Thein.
