China on Wednesday said it wanted a "democratic transition" in military-ruled Myanmar, but ruled out sanctions at a UN Security Council meeting.

"China hopes that Myanmar will restore peace, stability and constitutional order as early as possible and continue to steadily advance democratic transition," Ambassador Zhang Jun told the closed-door meeting, according to a statement.

"Maintaining peace and stability in Myanmar is in the common interest of the international community. Should Myanmar slide into protracted turbulence, it will be a disaster for Myanmar and the region as a whole," he said.

Myanmar's military, which overthrew the country's elected leadership on February 1 and has violently suppressed protests, counts on China as its main ally.

China nonetheless remained consistent in its opposition to economic pressure on Myanmar after the closed-door meeting in which Western powers spoke of further measures.

"One-sided pressure and calling for sanctions or other coercive measures will only aggravate tension and confrontation and further complicate the situation, which is by no means constructive," Zhang said.

He also called for the protection of foreign businesses -- a key concern for China which has seen dozens of its factories torched amid furor against Beijing.

"We hope that all parties in Myanmar can keep calm, exercise restraint and take actions with a constructive attitude to de-escalate and cool down the situation," he said.

"Lives and properties of the people of Myanmar and foreign nationals and businesses should be protected, and any attack on them is unacceptable."

The Chinese envoy also voiced appreciation for the efforts of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, whose members have complicated and at times hostile relations with Beijing over maritime issues and other disputes.

China backs the bloc's idea of a special summit and its efforts "conducting mediation in the ASEAN way and playing a positive role in easing the situation in Myanmar."

German company halts supply of Myanmar bank note components
Berlin (AFP) March 31, 2021 - A German company that supplies products to make Myanmar bank notes has suspended deliveries in response to growing violence following the military coup to oust civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, it said Wednesday.

Giesecke and Devrient said in a statement that it was halting all deliveries to Myanmar's state-owned Security Print Works "with immediate effect".

"This is a reaction to the ongoing violent clashes between the military and the civilian population," the Munich-based company said.

The company had already restricted its supply of raw materials, supplies and system components for the production of banknotes in recent weeks.

Myanmar's junta has unleashed deadly violence on protesters who have risen up against the military's ousting of Suu Kyi last month.

More than 500 civilians have been killed in the violence, and world powers have ramped up their condemnation of the military's campaign against the anti-coup movement.

The United States, Britain and the European Union have announced a range of sanctions targeting top police and military commanders linked to the coup, as well as military-owned companies.

As the EU sanctioned Myanmar's top junta chief and 10 other officials last week, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called the violence "completely unacceptable".

The US State Department has ordered the departure of non-essential diplomatic staff and their families from Myanmar, and Japan -- a top donor to the country -- has halted new aid payments.

Another company, French renewable energy firm Voltalia, said Wednesday that it was ceasing its activities in Myanmar "due to the political and humanitarian crisis" in the country.

Voltalia, which has been present in Myanmar since 2018, powers 156 telecom towers in rural areas. It said it was doing everything to ensure the security of its 43 collaborators there.

After the coup, Japanese car giant Suzuki temporarily halted operations at its two Myanmar factories, which produced 13,300 vehicles in 2019 -- almost all of which were sold in-country.

Japanese brewer Kirin and Singapore-based oil company Puma have announced they are reconsidering their operations in the country.

Japan suspends new aid to Myanmar over coup
Tokyo (AFP) March 31, 2021 - Japan has halted new aid to Myanmar in response to the coup, according to the country's foreign minister, but is stopping short of sanctions imposed by some nations on military and police commanders.

Japan is a top aid donor to Myanmar, and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said the suspension of assistance would send a "clear" message.

"For Myanmar, Japan is the largest provider of economic assistance," he told parliament on Tuesday.

"What stance is Japan taking in terms of economic assistance? There is no new aid. We are taking this clear position."

The United States, Britain and the European Union have announced a range of sanctions targeting top police and military commanders linked to the coup, as well as military-owned companies.

But Japan, which has strong economic ties with Myanmar and long-standing relations with its military, has opted not to take more directly punitive measures.

"Which policy is truly effective for Myanmar? I think the answer is clear," Motegi said.

"It's not that sanctions are courageous and non-sanctions are not," he told a legislative committee.

The suspension reportedly affects only new aid, not existing projects, local media said.

More than 500 civilians have been killed in the Myanmar military's crackdown on protesters, and world powers have ramped up their condemnation of the campaign against the anti-coup movement.

Japan has criticised the coup in Myanmar and called for the restoration of democracy, but it has faced calls to stake out a stronger position on the crisis.

Tokyo has traditionally maintained cordial ties with Myanmar while also supporting the cause of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who briefly lived in Kyoto as a young researcher.

Thousands of Japanese nationals and several hundred Japanese companies are believed to be in Myanmar, and Japan is reportedly the fifth-largest foreign investor in the country.

Related Links
Democracy in the 21st century at TerraDaily.com

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