The military coup and growing unrest in Myanmar are "absolutely not what China wants to see", Beijing's ambassador to the Southeast Asian country said in remarks published Tuesday.

Envoy Chen Hai's comments come as anti-coup protests escalate in Myanmar and the military steps up efforts to stifle opposition, with hundreds arrested since the seizure of power on February 1.

"We noticed Myanmar's domestic dispute regarding the election for some time, but we were not informed in advance of the political change," Chen said in comments released on the website of the Chinese embassy in Myanmar.

Traditional allies of Myanmar's armed forces, such as China and Russia, had previously pushed back against international outcry over the coup, calling it interference in the country's "internal affairs".

Chinese state media earlier described the putsch and detention of de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi as "a major cabinet reshuffle", rolling out euphemisms to avoid labelling the situation a coup.

But in Tuesday's remarks, Chen said: "The current development in Myanmar is absolutely not what China wants to see."

He added that China hoped all parties could handle differences properly, maintaining political and social stability.

Chen said the UN Security Council's recent press statement calling for reconciliation and the immediate release of all those detained "reflects the common position of the international community, including China".

The military has justified its power seizure by alleging widespread voter fraud in November elections that Suu Kyi's party won.

In the two weeks since the generals ousted Suu Kyi and put her under house arrest in the administrative capital Naypyidaw, big cities and isolated village communities alike have been in open revolt.

On the civil disobedience movement, with street demonstrations and people petitioning outside embassies, Chen said: "We... mentioned their reasonable demands when we strove to promote dialogues among different parties of Myanmar."

He maintained that the "change of political situation" was an "internal affair", although adding that it would have spillover effects on Myanmar's relations with its neighbours.

But with rumours circulating on social media of China's involvement in the affair, including claims that Chinese soldiers appeared on the streets of Myanmar, or that China was helping the country build an internet firewall -- Chen hit back, calling them "nonsense and even ridiculous".

Apart from deploying extra troops, Myanmar's junta recently choked the internet for two straight nights while cracking down on protests.

Myanmar protesters stage biggest rallies since troop deployments
Yangon (AFP) Feb 17, 2021 - Myanmar's anti-coup protesters returned to the streets in force on Wednesday with the biggest demonstrations since troops fanned out around the country to quell opposition to the new military junta.

Much of the country has been in open revolt since the military deposed Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's government at the start of the month and charged her under an obscure import law.

Tens of thousands rallied in Yangon, with protesters blockading roads with vehicles to stop security forces from moving around the nation's biggest city.

"We have to fight until the end," Nilar, a 21-year-old student who asked not to use her real name, told AFP.

"We need to show our unity and strength to end military rule. People need to come out on the streets."

Wednesday's crowds came in defiance of more violent efforts by the regime to bring resistance to heel, following nationwide street protests and a disobedience campaign encouraging civil servants to strike.

Demonstrations over the past two days had been noticeably smaller since troops were deployed around Yangon on the weekend.

But social media platforms were flooded with calls for a show of force by protesters in the hours before the junta imposed a third consecutive overnight internet blackout.

By noon, there were anti-coup demonstrations across Myanmar, from the remote highlands region of Chin state to a small town in the Irrawaddy delta that saw a parade of protesters hoisting Suu Kyi posters.

Right outside the capital Naypyidaw, tens of thousands of people from different sectors -- including engineers, doctor, and teachers -- marched through the logging town of Pyinmana carrying signs saying "Help Myanmar".

UN special rapporteur Tom Andrews warned that reports of soldiers being brought into Yangon could lead to the situation there spiralling out of control.

"We could be on the precipice of the military committing even greater crimes against the people of Myanmar," he said.

There were no signs of a major troop mobilisation in Yangon on Wednesday morning.

In recent days, rubber bullets, tear gas and even slingshots have been used against protesters.

One young woman remains in a critical condition in Naypyidaw after being shot in the head last week.

The military said a police officer had died in Mandalay after a confrontation with protesters on Sunday.

"Those who committed lawless action on the police officer will be dealt with as necessary," an army statement said.

- New charge for Suu Kyi -

The military justified its power seizure by alleging widespread voter fraud in November elections won by Suu Kyi's party in a landslide.

After her detention in a dawn raid on February 1, Suu Kyi was charged for possessing unregistered walkie-talkies found in her home.

Her lawyer Khin Maung Zaw told AFP on Tuesday she was also charged with violating the country's disaster management law. Further details of that charge have not been made public.

The disaster management law has also been used against deposed president Win Myint for an election campaign event that the junta claims broke coronavirus restrictions.

Her lawyer added that Suu Kyi and Win Myint, both of whom he has yet to have any contact with, were expected to appear via video link during a March 1 trial.

Suu Kyi had already made an appearance in court via video conference Tuesday, without his presence, he said.

UN rapporteur Andrews described the court proceedings as a "secretive trial".

- 'Not what China wants to see' -

Military spokesman Zaw Min Tun said Tuesday that both Suu Kyi and Win Myint were in a "safer place" and "in good health".

"It's not like they were arrested -- they are staying at their houses," the general told a press conference.

More than 450 people have been arrested since the coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners monitoring group.

Western powers and the United Nations have repeatedly condemned the leaders of Myanmar's new military administration, which insists it took power lawfully.

China had initially not criticised the coup, which Chinese state media described as a "cabinet reshuffle".

However, Beijing's ambassador to Myanmar said Tuesday that the current situation in the country was "absolutely not what China wants to see".

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