An article published by Global Times (February 1) on the military take-over in Myanmar, reported Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin's comment on February 1, that "China is a friendly neighbour of Myanmar, and we hope all parties in Myanmar can properly handle differences under the constitutional and legal framework and safeguard political and social stability". It quoted experts as saying 'the military's actions can be seen as an adjustment to the country's dysfunctional power structure' and that 'the country should be wary of possible external interference'. Global Times also quoted a Beijing-based expert as observing that 'Over the past five years of the NLD rule, the army and the NLD have been in a state of discord'. He added '"The military's actions, therefore, can be viewed as an adjustment facing Myanmar's imbalanced power structure." Yin Yihang, a scholar from the Beijing-based think tank Taihe Institute, told Global Times that while the military has detained Aung San Suu Kyi and other senior NLD officials, it has been unable to fully control grass-roots NLD members, with further protests by NLD groups anticipated. He said "Now the NLD has developed into a fully fledged party organization, ranging from the federal to the township level. After the military takeover, it will be difficult for the NLD to remain quiet." Yin Yinhang also told Global Times that although the US had limited official exchanges with Myanmar during the Trump administration, US civil rights groups have maintained a presence in northern Myanmar, radicalizing local people. He said "As per the current situation, US may also adopt a 'colour revolution' approach to Myanmar." Fan Hongwei, Director of the Center for Southeast Asia Studies at Xiamen University, told Global Times (February 1) that the US may impose sanctions on Myanmar, and military pressure cannot be rolled out. He said "The situation in Myanmar is likely to be an opportunity for the Biden administration, which has multiple members from Team Obama, to repair relations with Myanmar, to make Myanmar problematic and use Myanmar to put pressure on China. Myanmar is a country that does not welcome interference by big powers. China has maintained good relations with both the current government and the military, so it still hopes that the two sides can negotiate a compromise to maintain peace and stability." As for whether Chinese employees will be pulled out of Myanmar, Global Times quoted a Chinese employee of a commercial company as saying that they are waiting for further notification from the Chinese Embassy in the country.
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