A Myanmar court has charged State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi with breaching an import and export law, a spokesperson from her National League for Democracy (NLD) said Wednesday.

"We have got reliable information that Dakhinathiri court has given a 14-day remand from February 1 to February 15 against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi under the charge of violating the import/export law," Kyi Toe, NLD press officer, wrote on his official Facebook page.

Myanmar's police have also filed charges against the nation's president U Win Myint accusing him of violating the Natural Disaster Management Law.

A police request to a court detailing the accusations against 75-year-old Nobel laureate Suu Kyi said walkie-talkie radios had been found during a search of her home in the capital, Nay Pyi Taw. It said the radios were imported illegally and used without permission.

The document reviewed on Wednesday requested Suu Kyi's detention "in order to question witnesses, request evidence and seek legal counsel after questioning the defendant."

Myanmar declared a one-year state of emergency in the early hours of Monday and the state power was handed over to the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. Myanmar political leaders, including Suu Kyi, Win Myint, regional and state ministers, and some central executive committee members of the NLD, were detained by the military.

The UN Security Council held a closed-door meeting on the Myanmar situation on Tuesday in an attempt to facilitate the political and social stability of Myanmar and the peaceful settlement of the problem.

On Wednesday, China also called for international cooperation to create a favorable environment for Myanmar to handle its internal differences properly.

"We hope that all sides in Myanmar will properly handle their differences under the constitutional and legal framework and maintain political and social stability," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters.

(With input from Reuters, Xinhua)

(Cover: File photo: Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi (R) and President U Win Myint, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, March 28, 2018. /Xinhua)

China on Wednesday said the international community should create a favored external environment for Myanmar to properly handle its internal differences.

The UN Security Council held a closed-door meeting on the Myanmar situation on Tuesday, following Myanmar's declaration of the one-year state of emergency and the handover of the state power to the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Sen-Gen Min Aung Hlaing on Monday. 

Speaking of the closed-door meeting, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said that China hopes all actions taken by the UN Security Council would facilitate the political and social stability of Myanmar and the peaceful settlement of the problem.

Wang stressed that China, as a friendly neighbor of Myanmar, hopes all sides in Myanmar will properly handle their differences and prioritize people's willingness and interests.

"We hope that all sides in Myanmar will properly handle their differences under the constitutional and legal framework and maintain political and social stability," Wang said.

The last Security Council discussion on Myanmar was in September 2020, before the general elections in the country.

Read more:

China hopes all sides in Myanmar properly manage differences

CGTN's liveblog on Myanmar 

Myanmar political leaders, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint, regional and state ministers, and some central executive committee members of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD), were detained by the military in the early hours of Monday.

The military had demanded the postponement of new parliamentary sessions, claiming that there was massive voting fraud in the November 2020 general elections, in which the NLD won the majority of seats in both houses of parliament.

(With input from Xinhua)

Myanmar's army chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, told members of the newly formed cabinet that the military takeover on February 1 was "inevitable," Myanmar Times reported on Wednesday.

"After many requests, this way was inevitable for the country and that's why we had to choose it," he said during the first cabinet meeting.

Myanmar's military Monday morning detained several senior officials including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint in response to alleged fraud during last year's general election.

A one-year state of emergency was declared by the military and new elections will be held after.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who's been handed the power, said the military has carefully considered the effects of its action as the takeover was "in line with the law."

Yangon International Airport resumed operation on Tuesday night as two flights to Malaysia and South Korea departed the airport early on Wednesday.

Local media Myanmar Times earlier reported that relief flights to and from the airport had been permitted to resume.

The report said the country's COVID-19 central committee will expedite its relief missions and deploy more relief flights and vessel trips so citizens abroad can return to the country.  

Myanmar on Tuesday closed the airport, the country's main gateway, following a military takeover on Monday.

(With input from Reuters)

More than 1,500 volunteers attempting to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar have gone on strike to protest the military's takeover, Yangon Region Youth Affairs Committee claimed in a statement on Tuesday.

Myanmar's Civil Disobedience Campaign also said on Facebook that staff at 70 hospitals and medical departments have stopped working to join the protest against the military's seizure of power.

Myanmar's military named U Than Nyein as the country's new central bank governor on Tuesday, reappointing him to a post he had previously held between 2007 and 2013.

The announcement was the latest in a major shakeup by the military.

Medical workers in hospitals in Myanmar's Nay Pyi Taw, Rangoon and Mandalay, Sagaing have gone on strike from Wednesday to protest the military taking control of the country after Aung San Suu Kyi and other political leaders were arrested early Monday morning, local media reported on Tuesday.

The report said that many hospitals started strike from Tuesday evening.

Myanmar has closed its international airport in Yangon until June 1, the Myanmar Times reported on Tuesday.

The airport's manager confirmed receiving the order to shut down the airport. 

A majority of regional and state chief ministers were released on Tuesday after the military's one-day detention, a senior military official told Xinhua.

The military detained government leaders, regional and state chief ministers and central executive members of the ruling National League for Democracy early Monday.

The detained chief ministers and parliamentary representatives of the ruling party are allowed to be freed from detention by the military on Tuesday morning, the military source said.

Some state ministers and officials detained by Myanmar's military will be released on Tuesday and have been ordered to stay at home, according to military sources.

Banks in Myanmar reopened on Tuesday following temporary closures due to network outages after the military seized power in the country, Reuters reported.

The Myanmar bankers association had issued a statement on Monday saying it would allow members to reopen from Tuesday.

U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday threatened new sanctions on Myanmar in response to the latest situation in the Asian country. 

The United States removed sanctions on Myanmar over the past decade based on "progress toward democracy," Biden said in a statement. 

"The reversal of that progress will necessitate an immediate review of our sanction laws and authorities, followed by appropriate action. The United States will stand up for democracy wherever it is under attack."

Click here for more. 

The UN Security Council will discuss the Myanmar situation on Tuesday, following the detention of political leaders by the military in the country.

British Ambassador to the United Nations Barbara Woodward, whose country takes over the rotating Security Council presidency for the month of February, said the council members have agreed to bring forward the Myanmar issue given the latest developments.

Tuesday's Myanmar virtual meeting will be held behind closed doors "to allow for frank discussion," she said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' special envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, will brief the Security Council on Tuesday, said Stephane Dujarric, Guterres' spokesman.

(With input from Xinhua)

The Myanmar military on Monday announced the appointment of 11 new ministers, including U Wunna Maung Lwin as the country's new foreign minister.

Under the cabinet reshuffle, besides the new appointment, 24 deputy ministers were removed from their posts, the military said in a statement.

Union chief justice and judges of the Supreme Court of the Union as well as chief justices and judges of regional or state high courts are allowed to remain in office, according to the statement.

Members of Anti-Corruption Commission as well as chairman, vice chairman and members of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission will also remain in office.

Chairmen and members of the Nay Pyi Taw Council and the Union Civil Service Board will be removed from their posts, while a new chairman has been appointed for the Union Civil Service Board, the statement said.

The move came after the military declared a state of emergency for one year and the legislative, executive and judicial powers were handed over to the commander-in-chief of the defense services earlier Monday.

Myanmar leaders, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint, regional and state ministers and some central executive committee members of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD), were detained by the military in the early hours of Monday.

The military also announced earlier Monday that the Union Election Commission (UEC) will be reformed and the electoral process in the parliamentary elections held in November last year will be reviewed in accordance with the law during the state of emergency.

The military has called on the government and the UEC to review the election results, alleging irregularities in the voting process in the previous months.

"When these tasks have been completed in accordance with the provisions of the State of Emergency, free and fair multiparty general elections will be held and the assigned duty of the state will be handed over to the winning party meeting norms and standards of democracy," a military statement issued previously said.

Myanmar held its multiparty general elections on November 8 last year and the ruling NLD won a majority of seats in both houses of the Union Parliament.

At present, access to state-run broadcasting channels and telecommunications have resumed after being cut off for some hours across the country earlier Monday.

All local banks will resume their services starting Tuesday, Myanmar Banks Association issued a directive on Monday.

(With input from Xinhua)

(Cover: Myanmar soldiers stand inside Yangon City Hall after occupying the building in Yangon, Myanmar, February 2, 2021. /Reuters)

China Media Group reporter Gao Jiayi took to the streets of Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar, to check out what life is like in the city's Chinatown after a state of emergency was declared in the country.

Myanmar's newly elected parliament is scheduled to meet for the first time on Monday. However, the military earlier on Monday declared the legislative functions of all parliaments and leading bodies would be suspended as the country entered into a state of emergency.

The chaos raised several questions: what happened, why did the military act now and what happens next?

Read more:

Myanmar crisis: A timeline

Aung San Suu Kyi from idealism to pragmatism

What we know so far?

The Myanmar military Monday announced a one-year-long state of emergency after they detained Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint and other senior officials earlier in the day.

The military stressed the constitution allows them to take control in times of national emergency. The state power is handed over to Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Min Aung Hlaing and First Vice President U Myint Swe is now serving as the acting president.

According to reports, the Myanmar military have taken control of multiple governments and parliaments in many parts of Myanmar.

Suu Kyi, 75, in a statement released by her National League for Democracy (NLD) Party called on the public not to accept the military's actions and urged protests, saying military's actions were unjustified and went against the constitution.

The Yangon International Airport will be closed till May this year, according to civil aviation authorities, and all banks across Myanmar were shut on Monday. Telecommunications in capital city of Nay Pyi Taw and some other regions and states had also been cut off.

CMG Reporter Gao Jiayi in Yangon, Myanmar's largest city saw the City Hall building was controlled by the military and the military's vehicles can been seen inside the City Hall.

On the streets in Yangon, Gao saw people's life were still normal as no roads were blocked and all public transportation was still in service.

The military later said "after the state of emergency period, free and fair multi-party general elections will be rerun and the state power will be handed over to an elected party which meets the democratic standards."

Why now?

An expert said the military's move comes after their dissatisfaction to last year's parliamentary elections, which the ruling NLD party won a sweeping victory.

"The Myanmar military believe there was massive voting fraud in last year's parliamentary elections. And they had demanded postponement of new parliamentary sessions. But the Union Election Commission (UEC) dismissed the allegations last week. That is why they made the move," Song Qingrun, associate professor from Beijing Foreign Studies University said.

Reporter Gao noted the NLD "won too much" in last year's election as it secured over 80 percent of the seats in the parliament.

He pointed out the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), supported by the military, only won 33 seats and after the election, the USDP has accused the NLD of cheating during the election.

The military in a latest statement claimed 25 percent of the voters may be fraudulent. The military said they have discovered over 10.48 million errors after reviewing the publicly released voters list by the UEC.

How will the future unfold?

Noting the future could be "complex," Song said it is quite difficult to say how the situation will develop in the future.

"It depends on whether the supporters of the NLD will go demonstration in the streets, whether the military could handle the conditions in the country... as well as what the results of the new elections will be," Song said.

The expert pointed out last year's election shows that the NLD led by Suu Kyi still enjoy a lot of supporters.

He also said Myanmar's military will also be facing pressure from National League supporters and some Western countries. "How the situation unfolds, in light of these challenges, remains to be seen."

Read more:

World reacts to the detention of Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi by military

China hopes all sides in Myanmar properly manage differences

But Song believes the military's ruling of the country could still face several challenges.

"The first one is the outbreak of the coronavirus, currently Myanmar has got over 140,000 confirmed cases and it reports about 400 to 500 new cases everyday. So how to control the pandemic is a question laying in front of the military's table. Meanwhile, they also need to make efforts to recover the country's economy. These are the problems whether the Myanmar people could be satisfied with the military's ruling for the coming one year."

In terms of Suu Kyi's future political career, Analyst Larry Jagan pointed out removing Suu Kyi from power is key to the military's "game plan", and could signal the end of her political career. 

"I think this is essentially the end of Aung San Suu Kyi's political career. After all she is getting old, there are questions about her health. There is little future for her I believe in this point in time and after all I do think that is what the military want most." 

Jagan stressed that military has very little trust in Suu Kyi. "They do not trust her, they do not like her, and they do not want her to be part of the country's future. Therefore getting rid of her or cutting her out of the process really is a very important part of their game plan."  

(Cover: Myanmar soldiers are seen inside City Hall in Yangon, Myanmar, February 1, 2020. /Reuters)

In the morning of February 1, the Myanmar military detained State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint and other senior officials and political figures. The military said General Min Aung Hlaing will take power, and new elections will be held after the end of a one-year state of emergency. China Media Group Reporter Gao Jiayi, in an interview with CGTN, talked about the current situation in Yangon City, also he discussed his thoughts on what is behind today's event.

The Myanmar military claimed on Monday to have discovered over 10.48 million errors on the voters list during the country's general elections on November 8, 2020.

The specific figure was 10,482,116, Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Min Aung Hlaing said at a meeting held in the capital city of Nay Pyi Taw, citing a review of publicly released voters list by the Union Election Commission (UEC).

The military said it was "forced to take power in accordance with the constitution" after the government and the UEC failed to explain the results.

The Myanmar President's Office on Monday declared a one-year state of emergency after the military detained government leaders including the Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint.

According to the Myanmar military, new elections will be held after the end of a one-year state of emergency, and it will return the state power to the new government.

The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar advised Chinese nationals in the country to take greater safety precautions and avoid crowd gatherings.

In a short statement issued on Monday following a military takeover in the country, the embassy also advised Chinese citizens to abide by local laws and regulations and not to participate in any political events.

It also encouraged people to stock up on necessities and stay at home as much as possible.

Supporters of different political parties took to the streets on Monday, with some clashing with police in the city of Yangon and other locations in Myanmar.

A handful of journalists were injured in front of the government office in Yangon.

Earlier, Myanmar's civil aviation authority announced that Myanmar's Yangon International Airport will be closed until the end of April. 

Myanmar's Health and Sports Minister U Myint Htwe said on Monday that he was leaving his post after the military seized power.

In a message on the ministry's official Facebook page, he urged his colleagues to continue to serve the population, especially concerning the ongoing coronavirus epidemic and vaccinations.

China hopes all sides in Myanmar will properly manage their differences and uphold political and social stability, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a daily press briefing on Monday.

"China is a friendly neighbor of Myanmar's. We hope that all sides in Myanmar will properly handle their differences under the constitutional and legal framework and maintain political and social stability," Wang said. 

Myanmar's military has declared a state of emergency in the country for one year after carrying out detentions of senior government leaders, including Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint, in response to alleged fraud during last year's general election.

Read more:

Myanmar's military takes control after Suu Kyi arrested

Mobile internet data connections and phone services for Myanmar's mobile network operators MPT and Mytel are once again available. Other operators such as Telenor and Ooredoo are also resuming. 

People in Myanmar tweeted that they have mobile signal reception in the capital city Nay Pyi Taw, about seven hours after they lost all phone services.

The detention on Monday of Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint and other senior officials and political figures, in what some were calling a coup by the military, followed months of escalating tensions in the southeast Asian country.

Here is a timeline of events leading up to this: Myanmar crisis: A timeline

The Myanmar military said on Monday that new elections will be held after the end of a one-year state of emergency, and it will return the state power to the new government.  

Myanmar's National League for Democracy (NLD) Party said its leader Aung San Suu Kyi called on the public not to accept a coup by the military and urged them to protest, Reuters reported on Monday. 

"I urge people not to accept this, to respond and wholeheartedly to protest against the coup by the military," the NLD said in a statement carrying Suu Kyi's name.

All Myanmar banks will shut down temporarily, according to the country's bankers association. 

It came as mobile internet data connections and some phone services have been disrupted in major cities in the country.

It's unclear when the service will resume.

The Yangon Stock Exchange on Monday suspended all trading after the Myanmar President's Office declared a state of emergency and most regions suffered communication difficulties. 

It is not clear when trading will resume and the stock exchange cannot be reached at the moment, according to media reports.

Myanmar's military on Monday announced the suspension of flights in and out of the country. 

The suspension, starting 5:30 a.m. local time, came after the Myanmar military declared a state of emergency in the country for one year.
 

The Myanmar military on Monday declared a one-year state of emergency earlier after detaining Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint and other senior officials.

World leaders condemned the detention and called for the restoration of Myanmar's democracy.

Read more:

Myanmar's military takes control after Suu Kyi arrested

China hopes all sides in Myanmar properly manage differences

UN

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the detention of Suu Kyi, Win Myint and other political leaders on the eve of the opening session of Myanmar's new Parliament.

Guterres expressed his grave concern in a statement regarding the declaration of the transfer of all legislative, executive and judicial powers to the military. 

"These developments represent a serious blow to democratic reforms in Myanmar," he added.

He reaffirmed the unwavering support of the United Nations to the people of Myanmar in their pursuit of democracy, peace, human rights and the rule of law.

ASEAN countries

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed "grave concern about the latest situation in Myanmar," adding hopes that all parties would "exercise restraint."

Indonesia's foreign minister likewise expressed "concern" while also urging "self-restraint."

But Philippine presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the situation is an "internal matter."

"Our primary concern is the safety of our people, he said. "Our armed forces are on standby in case we need to airlift them as well as navy ships to repatriate them if necessary."

U.S.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on Myanmar's military leaders to release civilian leader Suu Kyi and others detained in overnight raids in the country, according to a statement.

Blinken said the United States expressed "grave concern and alarm" over reports of the detention of government officials and civil society leaders.

"We call on Burmese military leaders to release all government officials and civil society leaders and respect the will of the people of Burma (Myanmar) as expressed in democratic elections on November 8," Blinken said.

"The United States stands with the people of Burma in their aspirations for democracy, freedom, peace, and development. The military must reverse these actions immediately."

EU

EU chief Charles Michel on Monday strongly condemned the detention and demanded the release of all those wrongly detained in the crackdown.

"I strongly condemn the coup in Myanmar and call on the military to release all who have been unlawfully detained in raids across the country," the president of the European Council tweeted.

"The outcome of the elections has to be respected and democratic process needs to be restored," he said.

"I strongly condemn the coup in Myanmar," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on Twitter, and called for the "immediate and unconditional release" of all those detained.

"The legitimate civilian government must be restored, in line with the country's constitution & the November elections," she said.

In another tweet, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell insisted that the "Myanmar people want democracy". "The EU stands with them," he said.

French Government Spokesman Gabriel Attal also called on Myanmar military to respect election results.

Paris is closely following events in Myanmar and discussing its response with partners "in particular within the United Nations," Attal said. 

UK

"I condemn the coup and unlawful imprisonment of civilians, including Aung San Suu Kyi, in Myanmar," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Twitter. "The vote of the people must be respected and civilian leaders released."

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also added his words of condemnation about the state of emergency the Myanmar military had imposed.

"The democratic wishes of the people of Myanmar must be respected, and the National Assembly peacefully re-convened," he said on Twitter.

Japan

Japan called Monday for Myanmar's military to release Suu Kyi and restore democracy, saying it was opposed to moves that pushed the country "backwards".

"We request the release of stakeholders including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi who was detained today," Japan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement, urging the army "to quickly restore the democratic political system in Myanmar."

The ministry said Japan had been "strongly supporting the democratic process in Myanmar" and was opposed to "moves going backwards."

In Tokyo, several hundred protesters - mostly from Myanmar - demonstrated outside the United Nations University calling for the international community to intervene to secure Suu Kyi's release.

Australia

Australia on Monday also demanded that Myanmar's army immediately release Suu Kyi and other elected leaders.

"We call on the military to respect the rule of law, to resolve disputes through lawful mechanisms and to release immediately all civilian leaders and others who have been detained unlawfully," Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement.

Norway

"We condemn today's developments in #Myanmar. We urge military leaders to adhere to democratic norms and respect the outcome of the elections," Norway's Foreign Affairs Ministry tweeted.

Canada

Bob Rae, Canada's ambassador to the United Nations, tweeted that Myanmar's military "wrote the Constitution this way so they could do this."

"The Constitution of 2008 was specifically designed to ensure military power was deeply entrenched and protected," he said.

India

"We have noted the developments in Myanmar with deep concern. India has always been steadfast in its support to the process of democratic transition in Myanmar. We believe that the rule of law and the democratic process must be upheld," India's Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

(With input from agencies)

(Cover: Myanmar military vehicles are seen inside City Hall in Yangon, Myanmar, February 1, 2021. /Reuters)

Myanmar's military has declared a state of emergency in the country for one year, after carrying out detentions of senior government leaders in response to alleged fraud during last year's general election.