Ambassador: Mr.

Xue Hanqin
Address: Willem Lodewijklaan 10 2517 JT, The Hague
Tel: +31-70-3065061
Fax: +31-70-3551651
Email: chinaemb_nl@mfa.gov.cn

Dear Excellency,

The United Nations has been involving in Burma’s crisis since the brutal crack downs on nationwide
uprisings in 1988. Since 1991 UN General Assembly has passed 17 resolutions deploring the situation and
calling for democratic reforms in Burma. Several UN Secretary-Generals have been given mandate to use
their good offices to address the situation accordingly. Three special envoys have consecutively taken over
two dozen visits to Burma, in addition to visits by several Special Rapporteurs on Human Rights and others
since 1995. Since September 2006 the UN Security Council commenced to address the matter by formally
including Burma in its agenda. China is considered to be the key actor in regard to democratization in
Burma as known widely.

Naturally China has borne the brunt of severe international criticisms for rejecting draft resolutions on the
dire situations in Burma. Failing to knock the issue from the agenda, China resorted to use its VETO
weapon along with Russia, citing human rights problems in Burma were not the concerns of the UNSC
unless they threatened regional or international peace and security, which the situation in Burma did not
meet.

Nonetheless, China’s frustration with the regime started in 2007. When the world witnessed the regime’s
brutal suppression over the innocent Buddhist Monks, Chinese ambassador to the UN, Mr. Wang Guangya,
called on the regime to listen to the voices of its own people and to speed up the process of dialogue and
reform. Beijing then reinforced its message by sending State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan to Burma to press
Than Shwe that China expected more cooperation with international demands and the Burmese military
government should speed up reforms.

In addition, China has exhausted and abashed defending the wayward military regime by exposing itself so
publicly in the UN Security Council against the West, evidencing China's policy shifting away from the
regime.

On the other hand Beijing deeply fears Burma might employ the U.S to balance China; the regime has been
successfully using a balancing act between China and India for quite a while already.

While the present situation gives China a strong foot-hold and comparative advantage over competitors, its
policies are exposed to political, social and economic risks, including aggravating tensions and contributing
to conflict among different actors in Burma. Because Chinese investments and economic assistance are
largely based on extraction and export of natural resources only, they have not provided wider economic
development. Chinese companies have little incentive and much less attention on sustainability of Burma's
export commodities, and they are blamed for environmental and ecological destruction and forced relocation
and human rights abuses carried out by the Burmese military.

As resentment on Chinese economic exploitation and support on an unpopular regime grows within the
country, China's interests and possibly presence of its nationals in Burma came into jeopardy no doubt.
Given these high risks, Beijing should carefully re-evalute its stand, strategy and coordinate with Yunnan
and local governments and follow through with consistent positions and policies as well, in order to rein in
the wayward local actors. Only refocusing on projects that would truly benefit the people of Burma and
China's as well of course is the only way to strengthen the economic development of both nations and
enhance stability, not to mention boosting China's diminishing image in Burma.

China's global image certainly reflects upon Burma's image today, deeply unpopular among its citizenry and
the world at large and in general. And Beijing is seen as responsible for the fact as well.

As long as human rights abuses continue in Burma and the ruling generals recoiling to undertake political
reforms in the country Beijing would encounter pressures from international critics. The continued pursuit
of its present policy would only lead to more international embarrassment and criticism on Beijing thus,
further dimming China's credibility and diplomacy crucial in its bid to represent China as an emerging great
power and in a positive light as well.

In this light, China should do MORE to encourage and push Burma to commit truly for an all inclusive
dialogue with the opposition alliances including ethnic groups as well. While holding talks on national
reconciliation process as well. Simultaneously, China should act both directly and in concert with ASEAN
member countries to continue giving support on the good offices of the United Nations Secretary General as
well in persuading the military regime in Burma to open up and cooperate in this matter.

Burma is now heading toward holding general elections tentatively on November 7th coming, a potential
step towards significant fundamental and generational changes, in case the world specifically China push for
fair, free, transparent and all inclusive political process.

Under China's leadership, a cautious international approach would be on keel with united front of
neighboring countries as well, as multilateral correlations like ASEAN and the United Nations. China's
tremendous capacity and clout is handy and crucial in influencing Burma's domestic politics. We urge China
to use its discretion and credibility while leading other concerned neighbors as well to participate in a
meaningful and concerted effort to address Burma's democratization process.

China's growing global image and power among the nation states in mind should opt for the right path in
order that its counterparts and contemporaries should look up as a exemplary leader of the world leading by
example as well in place of stoically standing by the regime earning enmity and disgust of its own 50
million plus people of Burma and the world citizenry in general.

Lastly, China as one of the most powerful nations on earth and a dominant leader of Asia should certainly
engage the Burmese military regime effectively for national reconciliation process with all concerned
stakeholders in the country rather than and in place of pushing for success of the sham election slated to be
held on November 7th coming.

Sincerely,

Myat Thiha
Political Department
Date: November 1, 2010