AP

Posted: 2007-11-18 06:44:06

SINGAPORE (AP) – Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao expressed hope Sunday that the efforts by the United Nations and the people of Myanmar will help restart national reconciliation after that country’s military rulers recently crushed a pro-democracy movement.

“We believe that we should continue to promote the good offices done by the United Nations and rely on the efforts of the people of Myanmar so that the process toward national reconciliation can be restored and the country can realize peace, stability and development,” Wen told reporters in a prepared statement.

Wen is in Singapore to attend a summit of Asian leaders on Wednesday.

The vaguely worded statement came after China’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi called on Myanmar to speed up democratic reforms, state media reported Saturday. It was an unusual move for Beijing, Myanmar’s chief ally, which has traditionally refrained from criticizing its military regime.

The junta has faced heavy international criticism after its troops and police opened fire on pro-democracy demonstrators in late September, killing at least 15 people.

In recent weeks, China has been credited with working behind the scenes to pressure Myanmar to embrace democratic reforms after the crackdown.

China also provided important backing for the mission of Ibrahim Gambari, the U.N. secretary general’s special envoy on Myanmar, by supporting a Security Council declaration and helping persuade Myanmar to allow him to visit twice.