Yangon (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Chinese Communist Party has ruled out any visit by Aung San Suu Kyi to China because she is over 60. In accepting a first visit by her party, the National League for Democracy (Ndl), Beijing set a limit that the representatives be no more than 60.
Han Thar Myint, a member of the NLD
Executive Committee, who organized the trip, set for next week, explained that
"the invitation stated fact that the delegates must be under 60 years.
Aung San Suu Kyi is 67 years
old now, so can not go".
This
refusal to allow Suu Kyi visit has sparked speculation and criticism. She
is an icon of democracy and thanks to her Myanmar has set out towards a more
liberal system, limiting the power of the military junta, always supported by
Beijing with weapons and economic aid.
Under the junta dictatorship, China had become the nations' largest trading partner, accused of pillaging the mineral wealth, water and forests of Myanmar. The democratic openings of recent years have removed China's monopoly on Myanmar, opening the market to the rest of the international community.
"This is why the Lady is like
a red rag to a bull to Beijing" - a source tells AsiaNews .
In
recent times, perhaps driven by realism, Aung San Suu Kyi has eased criticism of
China and Chinese investment. Last
March, for example, she and the NLD spoke out in favor of a copper mine in
Monywa, managed by Beijing, even if there had been land grabs and neglect of
the environment, reported by locals.