A prominent Burma expert told a United States senate foreign relations committee yesterday an international coalition was needed to promote democratic change in Burma.

Michael Jonathan Green, associate professor of international relations at George Town University, told the committee a coalition of countries including the US and China was needed to address the situation in Burma.

“We must make it clear to Beijing that China will be held accountable in Washington for the company it keeps,” Green said.

Green also said a successful coalition of regional countries would bring China into the international fold.

“China will not want to be anti-status quo outlier in Asia,” he said.

The committee hearing was held to review the US’s policies on Burma and members heard speeches by several Burmese activists, experts and politician.

Thin Thin Aung, a Burmese activist from India urged the committee to hold ASEAN accountable for the actions of the Burmese regime.

While reiterating calls for the US to push the Burma issue at the United Nations Security Council agenda, activists urged the US to take the lead in organising an international coalition to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Burma.