China and Russia have blocked a UN security council effort to condemn the violent repression of protestors in Myanmar (also known as Burma).

Wang Guangya, the Chinese ambassador to the UN, said that Myanmar’s problems are its own, and that a UN statement of condemnation would not be useful.

Any recognition by the security council that the violence in Myanmar could have repercussions beyond its borders could lead to severe measures being taken by the UN against its military dictatorship.

Myanmar is effectively a client state of China, which has poured billions of dollars into the country in the form of arms, naval installations and infrastructure since the current government came to power in a 1988 coup.

Russia also has investments in Myanmar. It signed a deal in May to build a nuclear reactor there.

India, Myanmar’s other big neighbor and trading partner, was conspicuously silent until yesterday, when it released a carefully worded statement saying that it hopes for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Myanmar.

These latest pro-democracy demonstrations began last month over fuel prices, but they have grown to express a more general dissatisfaction with the government. Tens of thousands of protestors, led by Buddhist monks, marched again today in Yangon, Myanmar’s biggest city.

At least six protestors were killed by the government yesterday, and hundreds of monks and civilians have been arrested and beaten since the protests began.

• Times Online: Htein Win’s photographs
• Ko Htike: Ko Htike’s photographs
• Canadian Press: Tens of thousands defy Myanmar junta despite violent crackdown on protesters
• Rediff: Myanmar: India and China’s dilemma
• Bloomberg: China, Russia Block Bid for UN to Condemn Myanmar
• New Scientist: Russia to build nuclear reactor in Myanmar