2010 Elections Taking Priority Over China Ties

We do not view the fighting between the army and ethnic Chinese rebels in the north-east as a significant risk to Myanmar's ties with China, its most important political ally. We believe the government's motive lies in coercing ethnic minorities to take part in the 2010 elections in order to garner some legitimacy in what is likely to be highly rigged polls. While the military will remain firmly in control, we still view the elections as a miniscule step towards nominal civilian rule.

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