Myanmar Junta Shamelessly Dancing to Beijing’s Tune

As the junta suffered an unprecedented string of military defeats, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived Naypyitaw in August 2024 to meet the ruling generals. Since then, the regime has been dancing to Beijing’s tune, raising questions about whether it is becoming a puppet regime of its northern neighbor.

China initially distanced itself from the regime after the Myanmar military ousted the elected government in a coup in 2021. However, during Wang’s visit, Beijing threw its weight behind the junta’s activities, including its proposed election, and voiced opposition to ethnic armed groups’ attacks in northern Shan State.