Rozanna and Tom Allard, by Rozanna Latiff

(Reuters) – The Chinese envoy to Southeast Asia has lobbied for Myanmar’s military ruler to attend a summit hosted by China next week, but was met with stiff resistance from diplomatic sources on Thursday.

Myanmar’s status as an ASEAN member (ten-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations) was put in the limelight by the February 1 coup that saw its military overthrow the elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. This triggered bloody chaos.

Many ASEAN member countries, concerned by Myanmar’s return to crisis and suppression of democracy, sought to pressure its generals, excluding them all from ASEAN meeting.

ASEAN leaders repelled Myanmar’s military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing from attending an ASEAN summit last month in an unusual decision. He had failed to honor his promises to let an ASEAN envoy meet with lawmakers who were overthrown by the coup, and thus blocked him from participating.

ASEAN leaders argued that Myanmar’s non-political representative should be invited to the meeting. Myanmar did not attend the meeting.

Four regional diplomatic and political sources said that Min Aung Hlaing was wanted to be expelled from the Nov. 22 China/ASEAN meeting hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

According to a source from an ASEAN country, “Malaysia and Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, and Brunei have accepted to keep the same position AS the ASEAN summit,” referring to Myanmar’s demand for a non-political representative.

Teuku Faizasyah (Indonesian foreign ministry spokesperson) confirmed that the Indonesian government is firm on its non-political position. He was referring to “wisdom”, which leaders displayed before the October summit.

Faizasyah stated that “Indonesia has been consistent about its decision on Myanmar’s representative at the forthcoming summit of leaders.”

Retno Marudi, the Indonesian foreign minister has been one of the ASEAN’s most vocal critics. He stated that Myanmar shouldn’t be represented at political level until the country restores democracy.

Malaysia’s foreign minister declined to comment. Requests for comments were not received by the foreign ministry of Brunei, Singapore and Vietnam.

China’s foreign minister did not respond immediately to inquiries for comment, but Zhao Lijian on Tuesday stated that China supports all parties in Myanmar and seeks political resolution through dialogue. He also said China would cooperate with the international community in efforts to restore stability in Myanmar and to resume democratic transition.

The Myanmar military government refused to comment on a request.

“MAINTAIN THE PRINCIPLE”

A diplomat from the region was briefed about China’s lobbying efforts. Sun Guoxiang, China’s Special Envoy for Asian Affairs visited Singapore and Brunei last Wednesday. However, Ming Aung Hlaing couldn’t attend the virtual summit.

Sun was confronted with opposition from ASEAN and told Min Aung Hlaing, at the meeting in Myanmar’s capital Naypyidaw, that China must accept the ASEAN position.

The regional diplomat cited Sun to say that China would “maintain the non-political representative principal applied by ASEAN”.

ASEAN is a group that has been known for years for non-interference and engagement. However, the coup in Myanmar has made this a reality.

ASEAN led a negotiation to create a plan of five points at the April summit for special leaders, Min Aung Hlaing being there. It included promises to end violence, and to allow ASEAN to send an envoy who will begin dialogue with all parties, including former lawmakers.

Myanmar is not following through and claims that it has its own roadmap for new elections.

The summit could see the Myanmar junta chief.

Myanmar, China’s ASEAN coordinator country this year is helping to facilitate the bloc’s interaction with it.

According to one source, “Typically the coordinating member sets up all, such as virtual links,” Sources suggest that Myanmar could use the role of coordinating member to slot in Min Aung Hlaing, even when other ASEAN nations object.