China Calls for Lifting of Sanctions on Myanmar China has called on Western countries to immediately lift their sanctions on Myanmar in the wake of by-elections won by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei says the weekend elections will be good for Myanmar's stability and development. He added China welcomed reports that Western countries will ease their sanctions but says they should be done fully and as soon as possible. Hong spoke Thursday, a day after the Obama administration said it would soon nominate an ambassador to Myanmar and ease some travel and financial restrictions on the formerly military-run Southeast Asian nation following the historic elections.