By IANS,
Beijing : Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Myanmar is seen as a poor show in China, a state-owned daily said Tuesday.
“Inside China, Singh’s visit failed to draw any notable attention,” said an editorial in the Global Times, which is known to reflect the thinking of the Communist party leadership.
“Most Chinese media only mentioned this news in brief, citing foreign news agencies. The rhetoric of China competing with India over Myanmar does not exist here,” it said.
The Times denied insinuation in a section of the Western and Indian media that the Indian leader’s visit to Myanmar is seen as a challenge to China’s growing influence in that country.
“China firmly believes that it can always hold an influential position there. The Myanmese know this better than anyone else,” the paper added.
China, it said, welcomes India and Western countries to invest in Myanmar and help take the country to prosperity.
“Some Indian media are obsessed with portraying a scenario of China and India in competition.
“It is probably driven by a sentiment of wanting to be seen as being equally important as China.
“But to ordinary Chinese, their knowledge about India only comes from a few movies, some news reporting and backpackers’ anecdotes.”
Manmohan Singh’s three-day visit to Myanmar, the first by an Indian prime minister in 25 years, ended Tuesday.
The Times said there were some Chinese enterprises that have suffered from Myanmar’s recent transition to democracy.
“However, this thinking is motivated by business interests which cannot be taken as a reflection of China’s general attitude to Myanmar.
“Most Chinese want to see a democratic Myanmar. They do not wish the country to remain controlled by the junta, isolated from every country but China.
“China is not interested in dictating another country’s foreign relations. It is abnormal, and cannot be sustained. Besides, history has shown us that its cons often outweigh its pros.
“And it is not just Myanmar. China would also welcome North Korea opening itself to the world, normalizing its relationships with South Korea, Japan and the US,” it said.
“As Myanmar’s neighbour and the strongest in the economic, political and military fronts, China encourages Myanmar to find what is best for its national interests on the international stage.”