Myanmar poses the question: democracy or geopolitics?

Measured approach required to avoid pushing generals toward Beijing

20210216N Xi in Myanmar

Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Myanmar's Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw in January 2020. © Reuters

HIROYUKI AKITA, Nikkei commentator

TOKYO -- As Myanmar is roiled by protests against its recent military coup, Western countries are faced with two seemingly contradictory challenges.

One is to mount pressure on the junta and show that military rule in Myanmar will never be tolerated. The other is to avoid isolating the country to the extent that it is driven into the arms of China.

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