China will have to repair damaged public opinion in Myanmar: business leader
China hoping to revive huge, stalled dam construction project in neighbouring country to generate electricity
China will have to work to regain the goodwill of Myanmar’s people, a local business leader said, after years of poor behaviour by mainland businesses soured local opinion.
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi (王毅) met with his Myanmar counterpart Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday, to discuss recent stalled infrastructure developments including a US$3.6 billion dam project.
It was her first official meeting since being appointed Myanmar’s foreign minister after the recent change of government.
But Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry vice-president Dr Maung Maung Lay said unethical Chinese businesses and a close relationship with the previous regime had created problems.
“Many unscrupulous traders dump substandard, spurious products in Myanmar and that has tarnished the image of China,” he said.
Despite Myanmar dam blockage, China confident about ties with Suu Kyi government
“These Chinese companies have [also] cooperated with the military regime, which have been so unpopular. That creates a problem... the friend of my enemy is not my friend.”
Lay said to improve their image the Chinese government had to maintain a firmer grip on their businesses to ensure any unethical or irresponsible behaviour was stopped.
“The Myanmar people are friendly with anyone, any country, we don’t have any prejudice or anything,” he said.
“Both sides [China and Myanmar] must work together, we can’t abandon our neighbour. We can choose our friends but not our neighbours.”
According to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang said he was confident that China would resolve business disagreements with Myanmar in a friendly manner.
All problems can find an appropriate resolution via friendly consultations
“Of course, there will be problems during the course of cooperation,” he was quoted as saying.
“I have reached consensus with Madam Suu Kyi that all problems will be properly resolved through friendly coordination.”
Among the Chinese business ventures under discussion are the Myitsone dam project, put on hold in 2011, and the Letpadaung copper mine.
Appearing to address Myanmar citizens’ concerns with Chinese business activities in the country, Wang said mainland companies needed to act responsibly.
“We will also demand Chinese companies in Myanmar follow Myanmar’s law, respect local customs, pay attention to the protection of ecology, carry out public livelihood projects and fulfil their social responsibilities,” he said.
The meeting with Suu Kyi comes a week after Myanmar saw an historic change of government the first openly contested elections in 25 years in 2015.
Nanyang Technological University’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies fellow Alistair D. B. Cook said the Chinese government would be working hard to ensure relations were amicable with the new government.
“This will particularly be the case if China is to play a stronger role in assisting national reconciliation, and restarting some of its stalled investments,” he said.
Additional reporting by Reuters
