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| China-Myanmar Scholars Dialogue for Promoting Peace and Stability for Myanmar Posted: 21 Apr 2017 12:29 AM PDT Presentation for Discussion Priorities for Peace China-Myanmar Scholars Dialogue for Promoting Peace and Stability for Myanmar (6 April 2017)  Introduction First of all, allow me to introduce myself as a Huaqiao, or officially a Haiwai Huaren otherwise a person of Chinese descent who lives outside China. I was born in this country. Accordingly, the first message I would like to convey is that I hold myself at least partly responsible for whatever happens in this country, either good or bad, especially bad. In the past, I was known for my annual reports on the drug situation in Shan State, where I hail from. But since 2011, I have been assisting the work of peacemakers on both sides of the fence. I'm sure you've already heard most of the things I'm going to present here. But since human concentration span in this digital age is woefully short, I hope you will bear with me for a few minutes. Peace is relative When we talk about Myanmar's peace process, we will need to look at two different playing fields: inside and outside. What's common between them is both need win-win solutions and both are interdependent. Success in one category will complement the other. Naturally, failure in one will hurt the other too. Peace with neighbors a crying requisite But here we will be discussing less about the inside playing field, but more about the outside one. Outside, I fully agree with Myanmar's Non-Alignment Policy, which is enshrined in its 2008 constitution as well as its 2015 defense white paper. What we really need however is to expand our friendship not just to one superpower, either regional or global, but to all of them. I'm not against the rise of China, Japan, Russia and India as superpowers. But we need a right balance among them to make and preserve peace, like the planets going around this earth. In the same breath, I'm wary of the decline of each existing power, which might spell danger to our own existence. We need to be friends with all, not just one. And we need all of you to be friends, not enemies. Because it will be good for you as well as us. A win-win solution: not only a must for the internal peace process Now I'm going to discuss what we have really come here to talk about: Sino-Myanmar relations Without achieving a win-win solution between the two countries, it is clear this country will face immense difficulties to achieve a sustainable internal peace. And vice versa. Like the internal peace process, I think we need an agreed set of trust building roadmap between the two countries. Here it must be acknowledged that China has made a lot of "commendable" efforts in this respect: § Financial assistance for JMC § The two plus two arrangement¹ § Suspension of MNDAA bank account² § Public notice urging refugees to surrender their firearms³ § Issuing invitations to ethnic political parties to visit China. Here what we may need is anther invitation for EAOs, especially the NCA signatories, to visit it. Right now, it seems to outsiders they are being excluded. I welcome these efforts. I appreciate them. And personally, I also agree with 2 points stated in China's White Paper which came out in January: § One, "Small and medium-sized countries need not and should not take sides among big countries" § Two, "We cannot just have the security of one or some countries while leaving the rest insecure, still less should we seek 'absolute security' of oneself at the expense of the security of others" But they are not enough. The least China could do is to present us with a draft plan of what you want to do and what you want us to do⁴. Then together we will be able to work out an agenda that both can agree. More need to be done to improve relations A lot more is necessary, not only about engagement with our country's peace process, but also in other areas which should be aimed at winning the hearts of is country's public in favor of China, that will in turn influence the outcome of the peace process. To win over them, we will need to remove their bitter sense of being bullied by China throughout the past decades: § Depletion of forests, minerals, and jade, forced on them by Chinese companies § Cheap Chinese goods that have resulted in the locals losing their jobs and livelihoods § Development projects that have forced the people out of their homes and fields (I'm sure China has its own complaints about this country and its people, and this is one platform where they should be aired) The word 'Hate' is an ugly one. But that is how they feel about China. And as a one-quarter Chinese, I don't feel good about that. These problems should be addressed, apart from those concerning the ongoing internal peace process. To resolve them, G to G relations alone will not help, if the public is against people coming across the border. I'm aware that President Xi is aware of the feelings of people in countries, not only Myanmar, where China is working. We keep hearing Chinese leaders assuring us that the rise of China will be peaceful, that China will never seek hegemony. But words are not enough. Deeds are. I'm winding up my presentation with two translated excerpts from Lao Zi's Dao De Jing: § How does the sea become the king of all streams? Because it lies lower than they! § Hence, if a great country can lower itself before a small country, it will win over the small country; and if a small country can lower itself before a great country, it will win over the great country. The one wins by stooping; the other, by remaining low. Please forgive me if it sounds like a sermon. But it is not. On the contrary, it is just a friendly and filial suggestion. Thank you.⁵ Notes 1. The two plus two arrangement (meeting of foreign and defense officials on both sides) has reportedly worked well between Myanmar and Thailand. However, as for the arrangement between China and Myanmar, it was observed by both Chinese and Myanmar scholars as "too formal" 2. Suspension of MNDAA bank account has been criticized by some as just token, as it was holding just a little over US$ 500,000. 3. Some have noted that the rewards for the surrender of firearms are not "enticing enough" 4. The result was that both sides agreed to form a joint border fact-finding team 5. One thing I forgot to say, but hoped everyone understood, was that I was not speaking for anybody but myself. (To be continued) | ||||||
| To Hopeland and Back: The 29th trip Posted: 21 Apr 2017 12:27 AM PDT (5-9 April 2017) First OBSERVE Then SERVE Linda K.Burton (1952-) Two invitations came last March which enabled me to make another trip back to the country I have come to call Hopeland:
China and Drugs have for long been subjects close to my heart, for I have always believed that unless the two are properly treated, the country will still be a long, long way from being one fit to live, let alone becoming a Switzerland in the east. This journal tries to inform the reader what I had learned there. Day One, Wednesday, 5 April 2017 Life is really simple. But we insist on making it complicated Confucius (551-479 BC) Nothing much to say for today except that I meet friends to review on the by-elections that were held 4 days earlier. From them, I learn at least one thing: In the Burman dominated lowlands, it is not about the peace process like in the highlands, but about the economy that will more than likely determine which party and candidate the voter will choose in 2020. Day Two. Thursday, 6 April 2017 Each nation feels superior to other nations. That breeds patriotism—and wars. Dale Carnegie (1888-1955)
The China-Myanmar Scholars' Dialogue is held at the meeting hall of the MISIS, also known as Myanmar ISIS. As to be expected, the first question I ask is: "Why of all the acronyms in this world, Myanmar ISIS?" To which one of our host is ready with an answer, accompanied by a laugh. "Because we're out to destroy the other ISIS." The institute was set up in 1992 by Gen Khin Nyunt, as Office of Strategic Studies (OSS), he informs me. He doesn't say when the name change took place, however. But I guess that won't be hard to guess.
Understandably, about half of the 30 or so participants are members of the MISIS. Among the non-MISIS are members of HD, 4 Chinese scholars, and others. Which include myself. The following are excerpts from the first presenters: Chinese scholar#1 Armed conflicts that began in 2009 have disturbed peace and stability along the 2,192 km border: 8 August 2009 - with MNDAA June 2011 - with KIA February 2015 - with MNDAA November 2016- with NAB March 2017 - with MNDAA 5 Chinese citizens were killed and 8 injured. Economic projects suspended. Local governments bearing big burden for refugees.
Myanmar scholar#1
Reading between the lines, the presentations by the two scholars seem to have summed up the whole lot of discussions that followed today: No trust exists between the two who need each other so much. Presentations by others, including mine, are just appendices to the two's. That's how they look to me, anyway. Let's see what they are: Chinese side
Myanmar side
The 2 plus 2 arrangement has limitations, because it is too formal. Each side sticks to its own policies and go home. They have never got to the point of resolving the issues. Toward the end of the day, Dr Kong Jianxun, who happens to be from the Hani ethnic group, known in Myanmar as Akha, proposes that a joint border fact finding team be formed, as a first step, to ascertain facts from myths, which is seconded by several Myanmar scholars, who add that HD should fund the project. The latter promises to consider the request. The day ends with a dinner party at a restaurant called Hong Bao, but also strangely known as Water Library, which I have yet to find out how it came to be named as such. The one thing I remember from the party is a remark from a former rebel friend, who still have contacts along the Chinese border and across. "The Wa has become another North Korea for the Chinese," he says. "They are Chinese protégés, but they don't always listen to China's advice." At 21:00, I'm back in my hotel room. |
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