Economics
Myanmar Says Western Rights Pressure May Push It Closer to China
- Sanctions over treatment of Rohingya could spur tilt to Asia
- China and Myanmar already agreed to speed up some projects
Photographer: Munir Uz Zaman/AFP via Getty Images
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Myanmar signaled that closer ties with China offer an economic buffer if human-rights concerns cause Western nations to curb trade privileges or investment.
The persecution of the country’s Rohingya Muslim minority has sparked global condemnation, and led to an International Court of Justice order last week for emergency steps to protect Rohingya from genocide. The controversy imperils Myanmar’s European trade privileges and is spurring calls for sanctions.