Abstract
Myanmar’s relations with China experienced a few hiccups during former President Thein Sein’s regime. However, contrary to expectations, the current government led by Aung San Suu Kyi appears to have reversed this trend. This article argues that Aung San Suu Kyi, after coming to power in March 2016, adopted a foreign policy approach, which is proving to be somewhat similar to that of the military junta under which China became Myanmar’s most trusted friend in the region. It attempts to unfold various factors that have been shaping Myanmar’s approach towards China in recent years.
References
1.BBC . 2010 . ‘China Urges Support for Burma’s General Election’ . 7 September , http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-11210611 (accessed on 8 May 2017 ).
2.
Chan
Debby S.W.
2017 .‘Asymmetric Bargaining between Myanmar and China in the Myitsone Dam China in the Myitsone Dam Controversy: Social Opposition Akin to David’s Stone Against Goliath’ , The Pacific Review , Vol. 30 , No. 5 , 674–91.
3.
Cook
Alistir D. B.
2012 . ‘Myanmar’s China Policy: Agendas, Strategies and Challenges’ , China Report , Vol. 48 , No. 3 , 269–81.
4.
Davis
Antony
. 2013 . ‘State of Wa Rearming the Insurgent UWSA in Myanmar’ , Jane’s Intelligence Review , Vol. 25 , No. 2 , 30 –34 .
5.
Dunn
Christopher
Ji
Lin
KuiPeng
. 2016 . Chinese Investments in Myanmar: A Scoping Study . Global Environmental Institute , https://myanmarbiodiversity.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Myanmar-Scoping-Study-Draft-Report.pdf (accessed on 18 April 2017 ).
6.
Fiori
Antonio
Passeri
Andrea
. 2015 . ‘Hedging in Search of a New Age of Non-alignment: Myanmar between China and the USA’ , Pacific Review , Vol 28 , No. 5 , 679 –702 .
7.
Gang
Ding.
2017 . ‘Why “Recover” Kokang Is not an option for China’ , Global Times , 8 March , http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1036716.shtml (accessed on 11 July 2017 ).
8.
Gaung
Juliet Shwe.
2017 . ‘China’s CITIC-led Group to Ink $10b Myanmar SEZ Project JV by End of 2017’ , July 31, Deal Street Asia , https://www.dealstreetasia.com/stories/chinas-citic-lead-10-billion-sez-project-plans-jv-set-end-2017-79032/ (accessed on 4 August 2017 ).
9.Global Witness . 2005 . A Choice for China. A Briefing Document by Global Witness . October , https://www.globalwitness.org/documents/11694/a_choice_for_china_low_res.pdf (accessed on 8 May 2017 ).
10.
Hilton
Isabel.
2013 . China in Myanmar: Implications for the Future . Norwegian Peacebuilding Resource Center , https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/172094/822f00b4d7da6439a3252789b404f006.pdf (accessed on 10 April 2017 ).
11.
Huang
Chiung-Chiu
. 2015 . ‘Balance of Relationship: The Essence of Myanmar’s China Policy’ , The Pacific Review , Vol. 28 , No. 2 , 189 –210 .
12.
Ives
Mike.
2017 . ‘A Chines-Backed Dam Project Leaves Myanmar in a Bind’ , The New York Times , 31 March , https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/31/world/asia/myanmar-china-myitsone-dam-project.html (accessed on 4 August 2017 ).
13.
Jacob
Judith
. 2016 . ‘Power Trap Myanmar’s New Government Bids for Authority’ , HIS Jane’s Intelligence Review , Vol. 28 , No. 1 , 34 –38 .
14.
Katoch
Prakash
. 2017 . ‘Fighting in North-East Myanmar’ , Indian Defence Review , Vol. 32 , No. 1 , 102–07.
15.
Kiik
Laur
. 2016 . ‘Nationalism and Anti-ethno-politics: Why “Chinese Development” Failed at Myanmar’s Myitsone Dam’ , Eurasian Geography and Economics , Vol. 57 , No. 3 , 374 –402 .
16.
Kundu
Sampa.
2012. ‘Myanmar: Pangs of Democratic Transition’ , IPCS Special Report , No. 130 , August , http://www.ipcs.org/issue_select.php?recNo=477 (accessed on 12 August 2012 ).
17.
Lee
Pak K.
Gerald
Chan
Chan
Lai Ha
. 2009 . ‘China’s “Realpolitik” Engagement with Myanmar’ , China Security , Vol. 5 , No. 1 , 101–23.
18.
Matsui
Motokazu.
2017 . ‘Myanmar’s Foreign Direct Investment Rush Receeds ’, Nikkei Asian Review and Financial Times , January 23 , https://www.ft.com/content/f7bda5bc-e150-11e6-8405-9e5580d6e5fb (accessed on 18 April 2017 ).
19.
Myint
Sithu Aung.
2017 . ‘China’s New Silk Road Plan: What’s in It for Myanmar?’ , Frontier Myanmar , June 4 , http://frontiermyanmar.net/en/chinas-new-silk-road-plan-whats-in-it-for-myanmar (accessed on 11 July , 2017 )
20.
Myoe
Maung Aung
. 2011 . In the Name of Pauk Phaw: Myanmar’s China Policy Since1948 . Singapore : ISEAS .
21.
O’Reilly
Brendan.
2016 . ‘Funding the Rebels in Myanmar’ , Geopolitical Futures , November 23 , https://geopoliticalfutures.com/funding-the-rebels/ (accessed on 11 July 2017 ).
22.
Shin
Aung.
2017 . ‘Myanmar and China sign crude oil pipeline agreement’ , Myanmar Times , April 11 , https://www.mmtimes.com/national-news/25676-myanmar-and-china-sign-crude-oil-pipeline-agreement.html (accessed on 8 June 2018 ).
23.
Srinivas
Ashwini
. 2014 . ‘Sino-Myanmar Oil & Gas Pipelines and their Implications for India’ , Global Journal of Finance and Management , Vol. 6 , No. 9 , 951–56.
24.
Sun
Yun.
2013 . Chinese Investment in Myanmar: What Lies Ahead . Stimson Issue Brief 1 , September , https://www.stimson.org/sites/default/files/file-attachments/Yun_Issue_Brief1_1.pdf (accessed on 10 April 2017 ).
25.
Wai
Phyo.
2017 . ‘Myanmar’s Political Strategy Beyond Aung San Suu Kyi and China’s OBOR ’, Eleven Myanmar , April 10 , http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/politics/8795 (accessed on 18 April 2017 ).
26.
Wong
Catherine.
2017 . ‘Five Things You Should Know About China-Backed Port in Myanmar’ , South China Morning Post , May 9 , http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2093581/five-things-you-should-know-about-china-backed-port (accessed on 11 July 2017 ).
27.
Zalewski
Jan
. 2012 . ‘Taming the Dragon’ , Jane’s Intelligence Review , Vol. 24 , No. 12 , 54 –55 .
