China recently hailed Myanmar as a “friendly neighbor” and warned the world not to meddle in its upcoming election. This praise plus warning exposes the fundamental difference between the Chinese communist ideas of democracy and those of the West. Authoritarian Asian states like the legitimacy that voting lends, but the idea of an outcome determined by the electorate is alien to this political philosophy. General Tan Shway, head of Burma’s military junta, arrived in Beijing last week for a state visit with President Hu Jintao. Burmese leaders are engaged in a dangerous balancing act to retain some freedom of action between India and China. Shway’s visit indicates a tilt more towards China.

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