USA: More than 50 Burmese-Americans protest outside Chinese Embassy in Washington over Beijing's interference in Myanmar

The protest on Saturday, part of a global campaign, called on China to withdraw its support for Myanmar's military junta and respect the will of the people, who have been fighting for democracy since the February 2021 coup, Voice of America reported.

The protesters were seen holding placards that read "Reject Junta's Sham Elections" and "Solidarity With the People of Myanmar".

The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar recently posted a statement: " In response to the groundless accusations by some media and individuals that China interferes in Myanmar’s internal affairs, I would like to reiterate our position as follows:"

"China and Myanmar are traditional friendly neighbours. China firmly supports Myanmar in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity, adheres to non-interference in Myanmar’s internal affairs and supports the Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led peace process. China opposes chaos and conflicts in Myanmar, interference in Myanmar's internal affairs by outside forces, and any words and deeds that attempt to drive a wedge between China and Myanmar and accuse China groundlessly," the statement said.

The Embassy said China's friendly policy towards Myanmar is for all the people of Myanmar. 

"We hope relevant parties in Myanmar can ceasefire as soon as possible, settle disputes in a peaceful manner, and deescalate and cool down the situation in Myanmar including northern Myanmar. China will continue to play a constructive role," the statement said.

The protesters rejected the statement issued by the Embassy.

"We reject the Chinese Embassy's statement that they're not interfering in Myanmar's internal matters," Yin Aye, a protest leader who has been organizing demonstrations in the Washington area since the 2021 coup, told VOA.

"If they would stop supporting sham elections and truly pressure the military to stop causing so much pain to our people, we might believe them," Yin Aye said.

Yin Aye referred to China's close ties with Myanmar's military junta and its alleged interference in the operations of ethnic resistance forces in northern Shan State, actions that have drawn widespread criticism from Burmese and pro-democracy groups.

Armed ethnic group  Ta'ang National Liberation Army on August 29 said it had received a letter from Chinese authorities in the border town of  Ruili where it warned the group to halt offensives in northern Shan State.

Several of China's keyBelt Road Initiatives are located in the area.

In the letter, Beijing warned the group to halt its offensives or else it would face the consequences.

Hla Kyaw Zaw, a veteran observer of China-Myanmar relations, told VOA China's recent actions, particularly its warning to the TNLA, have sparked outrage among the Myanmar public, who view it as a direct threat to ethnic resistance forces fighting for democracy.

"The language used in the letter was undiplomatic and threatening," Hla Kyaw Zaw told VOA’s Burmese Service.

A spokesperson for the TNLA told VOA that Chinese authorities had warned the group in the letter to stop fighting, maintain stability along the China-Myanmar border and protect Chinese citizens.

The letter warned that failure to comply would result in China "teaching them a lesson" and holding the group responsible for any consequences.