What is Behind China's 'Consistent Position' on the Rohingya Crisis in Myanmar

© AP Photo / Dar YasinRohingya Muslims, who crossed over from Myanmar into Bangladesh, wait for their turn to receive food handouts distributed to children and women by a Turkish aid agency at Thaingkhali refugee camp, Bangladesh, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017
Rohingya Muslims, who crossed over from Myanmar into Bangladesh, wait for their turn to receive food handouts distributed to children and women by a Turkish aid agency at Thaingkhali refugee camp, Bangladesh, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017 - Sputnik International
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Washington has accused Myanmar's authorities of conducting ethnic cleansing in the country's Rakhine State. In an interview with Sputnik, Azhdar Kurtov, a political analyst from the Institute of Strategic Studies, a Moscow-based think tank, stressed the need to tread carefully in resolving any ethnic or religious conflict.

Russian political analyst Azhdar Kurtov praised what he described as the "consistent" position of Chinese authorities, which earlier said that Myanmar can resolve its domestic problems on its own and that Beijing will not interfere in Myanmar's internal affairs.

"The Rohingya conflict should be viewed from all sides. Violence in Myanmar could be sparked by those forces that earlier tried to raise a wave of discontent within the Muslim world in other regions," Kurtov told Sputnik.

Women and children wade through the water as hundreds of Rohingya refugees arrive under the cover of darkness by wooden boats from Myanmar to the shore of Shah Porir Dwip, in Teknaf, near Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, September 27, 2017 - Sputnik International
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He added that "the goal is to distract the Muslim world's attention from what is happening in the Middle East and from the actions of the US and NATO in Syria and Iraq, which indeed should be condemned." 

Behind this are attempts to shift the world's public opinion to the alleged oppression of Muslims, according to Kurtov. 

"Knowing it full well, China tries its best to prevent the emergence of new ethnic tension in Southeast Asia, which is fraught with unpredictable consequences. That's why China's position only warrants respect," he said.

Speaking to Sputnik, Chinese political scientist Jia Leying also applauded Beijing's consistent approach to the resolution of the Myanmar crisis.

© REUTERS / Simon LewisRohingya villagers watch as international media visit Maung Hna Ma village, Buthidaung township, northern Rakhine state, Myanmar July 14, 2017.
Rohingya villagers watch as international media visit Maung Hna Ma village, Buthidaung township, northern Rakhine state, Myanmar July 14, 2017. - Sputnik International
Rohingya villagers watch as international media visit Maung Hna Ma village, Buthidaung township, northern Rakhine state, Myanmar July 14, 2017.

He said that Beijing proceeds from the assumption that China and Myanmar are historically bound by friendly ties and that the two countries stick to five principles of peaceful coexistence.

According to Jia, both sides are successfully developing bilateral political, trade and economic cooperation.

A united and thriving Myanmar, he added, is in line with the interests of its people, its neighbor China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which it is an important member.

"And if we do not stop the internal chaos in Myanmar, this will affect its integration into ASEAN," Kurtov said.

He pointed out that strengthening stability in Myanmar contributes to the international order and helps create "a single destiny for humanity."

"That's why it is wrong to label the Myanmar issue as 'ethnic cleansing' or a 'massacre'. It is necessary to make the parties to the conflict launch an active dialogue so as to achieve a political resolution of the conflict. Otherwise, one can only aggravate the situation," he concluded.

Newly arrived Rohingya refugees board a boat as they transfer to a camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, October 2, 2017 - Sputnik International
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The Rohingya crisis, which originated in a conflict dating back to the 19th century, intensified on August 25, 2017, when Muslim insurgents of Rohingya origin attacked security posts in Myanmar's Rakhine State.

The Myanmar army's subsequent brutal crackdown led to a number of clashes and the death of hundreds of Rohingya people.  More than half a million Rohingya Muslims have already fled Myanmar, crossing into neighboring Bangladesh.

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