The leader of Myanmar's military junta today (4th) criticized some countries for interfering in Myanmar affairs. At the same time, he thanked other countries for their "active" cooperation and emphasized how Myanmar cooperates closely with neighboring countries such as China, India and Thailand.
Myanmar's Southeast Asian country has faced international isolation and Western-led sanctions since its military seized power from the elected government of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung Sang Suu Kyi nearly two years ago.
In a speech marking the 75th anniversary of Myanmar’s independence, Myanmar’s military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing said: “With all the pressure, criticism and attacks... I would like to thank some of the people who actively work with us Cooperating international and regional countries, organizations and individuals.”
"We are working closely with neighboring countries such as China, India, Thailand, Laos and Bangladesh. We will work together to Border stability and development.”
Myanmar has been in chaos since the military seized power from Aung San Suu Kyi's government on February 1, 2021, jailing Aung San Suu Kyi and other officials and using force to suppress pro-democracy protests and dissent, leading to Hundreds of thousands have been displaced.
After a bloody crackdown, unrest has spread to swathes of Myanmar as the military clashes almost daily with armed forces from ethnic minorities, known as the People's Defense Forces, although street protests are now rare. Defense Force rebels have taken up arms to fight for a return to democracy.
Aung San Suu Kyi was convicted of five corruption charges at the end of last year and was sentenced to another seven years in prison, ending a marathon trial against Aung San Suu Kyi. The trials have been internationally condemned as a sham aimed at containing the biggest threat to the junta in Myanmar's domestic resistance to military rule.
Aung San Suu Kyi is being held in solitary confinement in a prison in Naypyitaw, and the military insists she has undergone due process before an independent court.
Burmese authorities usually release some prisoners to mark Myanmar's declaration of independence from British rule.
The United States, the European Union, as well as the United Kingdom and Canada, among other countries, have imposed sanctions on Myanmar's military and individuals deemed to have helped bring the military junta to power.
The UN Security Council last month further condemned the coup in Myanmar, adopting its first resolution targeting Myanmar in 74 years, calling for an end to the violence and for the junta to release all political prisoners.
Referring to international pressure, Min Aung Hlaing blasted what he called "interference from countries and organizations that want to interfere in Myanmar's internal affairs."
Despite this, the military government still enjoys some international support.
The United Nations Security Council remains divided over how to handle the crisis in Myanmar, with China and Russia not advocating tough action against Myanmar. They joined India in abstaining from a vote on the resolution last month.
Thailand also hosted regional talks last month to discuss the crisis, including a rare international appearance by the junta chief. Several key members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) who are critical of the military government did not attend.
ASEAN is leading the diplomatic peace effort, but Myanmar's military leaders have been barred from high-level meetings of the association because they have been unable to fulfill their promise to start talks with opposition figures linked to Aung San Suu Kyi's ousted government.