Power in Burma remains in the sights of the United States.

Visiting neighboring Thailand, Antony Blinken promised on Sunday not to release pressure on the Burmese junta.

The US Secretary of State further felt that China should agree with this line.

In a meeting held off-camera to protect their families, the US diplomat listened to young pro-democracy activists in Burma, whose military overthrew the civilian government in February 2021, slamming the door on a decade of democratic transition supported by Washington.

Although he prioritizes the fight against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he pledged to keep the pressure on Burma.

In sanctions without effect

Antony Blinken, however, acknowledged that the US strategy, which includes sanctions against the junta, has so far yielded no results.

“We continue to witness the repression of the Burmese people,” he said.

"We will continue to seek ways in which we, and other countries, can pressure (the military) to return to the path of democracy."

“I think all ASEAN countries need to hold the regime to account,” he added.

In April last year, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) reached a "five-point consensus" with the Burmese junta, which had seized power two months earlier, including calls for dialogue with the opposition.

The US secretary of state also refused to criticize the recent visit to Burma by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with whom he spoke for 5 hours on Saturday in Bali, but called on Beijing to support international calls to democracy.

"I think it's also incumbent on China and it's in China's interest to see Burma return to the path it was on and was so violently driven away from by the coup." .

Democracy described as “essential”

On the other hand in Thailand, the oldest ally of the United States in Asia, Antony Blinken met Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who came to power by a coup in 2014, triggering American sanctions.

Prayut became head of government in the 2019 elections, which ushered in a gradual return to more open political discourse.

In a joint statement signed by Blinken and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, the United States and Thailand called democracy "essential."

Addressing an issue of high priority for the Biden administration, the statement said Washington and Bangkok will promote "open and inclusive societies" for LGBTQ people.

Antony Blinken also praised Thailand for joining President Biden's plan to promote green energy in Southeast Asia, through $2.7 billion in private investment in the country.

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