In a clear change of direction, the East Timorese government has assured Myanmar's military regime that it will no longer allow opposition groups to engage in political activities or have an office on its territory. This move contradicts President José Ramos-Horta's previously announced positions and Timor-Leste's image as a country that defends human rights. It appears, however, to serve the strategic objective of full membership in the regional body, scheduled for October.

To reduce dependence on China, India has initiated direct contacts with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). The Indian Ministry of Mines has engaged state-owned IREL and Midwest Advanced Materials, a private firm, to explore potential large-scale exports from Myanmar. Meanwhile, India’s government has decided to exempt mining projects from mandatory public consultations, effectively excluding local communities from vetting mining projects.

In an interview with the British newspaper The Independent, he revealed that his mother has asked to be examined by an outside doctor due to the worsening of her condition. Arrested several times since 1988, she has been held in a secret location for more than four years since the coup on 1 February 2021 that swept away democracy in Myanmar. Meanwhile, the generals are organising “their” elections in December.

At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin, China refers to the general as the “acting president of Myanmar”, enhancing the military junta’s credentials. For its part, India plans to send a delegation to monitor Myanmar’s December elections, after signing several new economic agreements with its neighbour. Xi Jinping promised to admit Myanmar as a full SCO member, consolidating Myanmar's integration into Chinese-led regional platforms.

A demolition order was also served to 19 Buddhist sites in the city's "cultural zone," set to be razed to unearth ancient Ketumati. AsiaNews reports local Catholics are dismayed by the threat looming over the church dedicated to the Sacred Heart, built in the late 19th century by PIME missionaries. This is just the latest blow by the military to destroy places of worship. As many as 300 have been affected in Myanmar since the coup on 1 February 2021.

The vote is set to start on 28 December, and subsequent rounds in January. Currently, 55 parties have registered, nine ready to run countrywide. Humanitarian NGOs and the international community are highly critical of the vote, but China wants stability. Meanwhile, the humanitarian emergency is growing, particularly in Rakhine State, where the WFP warns that resources are in dire shortage.