The Burmese government has released a significant number of political prisoners in the latest sign that reformers have seized the initiative. On Wednesday, between 100 and 300 political prisoners were set free as part of an amnesty covering as many as 6,000 inmates. Among them were prominent opposition leaders such as Zarganar, a comedian and commentator jailed in 2008 for criticising the then junta’s disastrous response to Cyclone Nargis.

Hundreds of political prisoners remain in jail. Yet the mass release was not the only sign of change in Burma, renamed Myanmar by the generals who shot their way to power in 1962. Events have moved quickly since an election last November, denounced by many as a stage-managed transfer of power from the military to a phoney civilian administration.

Change has come thick and fast. Aung San Suu Kyi, the totemic opposition leader, was released in November. Thein Sein, the new president, has initiated debate in parliament, some sessions of which have been televised. Censorship has been relaxed. Ms Suu Kyi has met government leaders. A controversial $3.6bn dam, backed by China, has been suspended in a rare snub to Beijing and concession to public opinion.