OPINION

Medals abound

Re: "Medals to millions as stars hit jackpot", (Sport, Dec 27).

Could someone please explain the numbers in the article regarding the monetary awards to the SEA Games participants?

The ones quoted in the article don't add up.

China's hand in poll

Re: "Myanmar polls open amid civil war, junta-backed party tipped to win", (World, Dec 28).

Myanmar's military government has begun a staged national election, disingenuously presenting it as a way out of the crisis of civil war.

The peace-loving citizens of Myanmar, many of whom can speak English and understand well the difference between a repressive authoritarian dictatorship and democracy as we know it, would choose democracy if this "election" permitted it.

The reason for this lack of true choice is China's pervasive influence upon their neighbour.

Beijing is the main reason the junta remains viable amid decades of fierce opposition from its own people.

Recent reporting in the news media confirms the delivery of Chinese-origin military transport aircraft to Myanmar, and independent analyses have documented Chinese technical and industrial links to the junta's expanding drone and munitions production.

These capabilities have affected the balance of the conflict and enabled large-scale military operations.

Diplomatically, China acts as a mediator between the junta and armed groups along the China–Myanmar border, brokering ceasefire arrangements that prioritise border stability.

This serves to normalise the junta as a governing authority, further enabling the power structure responsible for the conflict.

Perhaps most importantly, Myanmar's valuable rare-earth exports to China provide the military regime with a vital revenue stream in violation of international sanctions.

This trade deepens economic dependency upon China while conveniently dampening demands for political reform.

The Myanmar election reflects China's policy of maintaining regional instability to perpetuate authoritarian rule in nations along their borders.

Literate cheer

Re: "Gold beats banks" & "Cash left idle", (PostBag, Dec 26).

At last, some perceptive letters in PostBag.

As an economist, it is with great joy that I read some intelligent and humorous letters regarding the overvalued baht.

I have taught economics in schools for 48 years, but I have given up responding to articles and letters written by the economically illiterate in the Post, so my thanks to the contributors for taking over the baton.

Several comments mentioning Michael Setter elicited more than a smile from me, so please keep the great reads coming!