Writer Timothy McLaughlin

published an article on the

American website "The Atlantic"

stating that China will be the biggest loser from the recent military coup in Myanmar, although many say that the coup is in Beijing's interest.

The writer pointed out that matters are often analyzed in Southeast Asian countries with unrealistic generalizations when it comes to their relations with Beijing or Washington, explaining that analysts have always emphasized that democracy in the region is always considered bad for China, and that serious American officials will flock to Every time they see that a country in this region makes decisions based on the will of the people.

Deceptive dualism

McLaughlin continues to say that the dichotomy of "winning" China under tyranny and "losing" in a democracy is a binary that lacks awareness of the complexities and nuances, as the Philippines - under the rule of popular and democratically elected President Rodrigo Duterte - has brought the country closer to Beijing The government of Thailand, backed by the junta, remains a staunch ally of the United States.

McLaughlin said analysts do not take into account the destabilizing effects, the coup in Myanmar, the major projects supported by China, China's loss of the "surprising" friendly relationship, and the confidence it has built over the past years with the "National League for Democracy," the association led by its leader The opposition is currently Aung San Sochi, after the coup d'état led to a sharp rise in anti-China sentiment.

Protests against the military coup in Myanmar outside the Chinese embassy there last Sunday (European)

It was in vain

The writer quoted Enzi Han - an assistant professor at the University of Hong Kong who studies China's relationship with Myanmar - as saying that China is the biggest loser from this coup, because the public relations it has undertaken to improve its image over the past five years, working with the National League for Democracy, have been in vain. .

McLaughlin said the Chinese ambassador to Myanmar last week appeared to support this position.

"The current development in Myanmar is not at all what China wants to see," he added, although the ambassador - as is common in Chinese diplomatic statements - left room for interpretation and denied rumors that China had helped the army, saying he hoped people would be able to "". Distinguish between right and wrong and beware of political manipulation, in order to avoid undermining the friendship between the two peoples. "

Questions about Beijing's work with the military

McLaughlin pointed out that China and Myanmar signed highly secret contracts for dozens of projects costing billions of dollars, and that is part of the economic corridor between them, which is a large communication plan aimed at linking China to strategic points through Myanmar, noting that these projects are now likely to face delays due to The protests and civil disobedience movements in the country, which are aimed at disrupting government operations and services, once again raise questions about why Beijing prefers to work with the military.

The writer added that the protesters of the coup say - in response to the statements of the Chinese ambassador - that no one should have confidence in what China is saying, and that the army did not dare to act without Beijing's blessing, and they repeat, "It is a curse on Myanmar to be a neighbor of China."