Calling Burma by its other name is what the junta wants. The military rulers of the country have been systematically quelling the pro-democracy protesters, of whom a large proportion appear to be Burmese monks. China is a major trading partner to Burma and has been supplying arms to support the junta, whilst resisting the efforts of the United Nations to exercise sanctions. China has also developed ports, factories and power plants in the country as a way to further its own economy.
Here is another corner of the world where major state imposed tyranny pushes the population back with brutal suppression. Neighboring China's agenda is supposed to be one of stability in the region, although its own record illustrates that its not too picky if that is achieved using guns and tanks as a form of suppression. China's eyes are also on its upcoming Communist Party politburo reshuffle and the 2008 Olympics as a global stage.
So now we have a United Nations envoy visiting Rangoon and the United States in discussions with China about the situation. The new global dependencies on China as a manufacturing base as well as a still largely untapped market, yet alone the host to the global games create interesting dilemmas for the economies of the west, where olden day threats of sanctions now get balanced against unintended consequences to global economies.
So will appeal to either Burma or China make a difference? The world watches.
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