Brussels, 21/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - Visiting China, the EU's special representative for Burma/Myanmar, Piero Fassino, said on Thursday 20 December that the Chinese authorities had no desire to put pressure on the military junta in power in Burma/Myanmar for them to release political prisoners and return to democracy: “During my meetings with the Chinese authorities, they made clear that the way ahead regarding the Burmese crisis stands with the Burmese themselves,” reports Reuters. “Of course I believe that it's our duty to encourage the Burmese leaders to go along that direction, and in that regard the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and the release of the main political leaders are very positive steps,” he added at a press conference. In an attempt to encourage the other countries in the region to play a more proactive role in influencing the Burmese junta, Fassino will be continuing his tour of the region in January and February 2008, travelling to India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam. (A.B.)