Relations between China and Myanmar in the context of Chinese energy diplomacy

Chinese involvement with the Indian Ocean countries aims to diversify suppliers and routes fortransportation of hydrocarbons, for which it creates the so-called "string of pearls" strategy. Each "pearl" is a link of Chinese geopoliticalinfluence and presence. The nature of strategy is not only the construction of various infrastructures, but also the strengthening of thebilateral ties with neighbouring countries. The main strategy of China's influence is not any pressure, but the conclusion of mutuallybeneficial agreements, diplomatic work with Asian countries. Myanmar (former Burma) is significant by size, natural resources andstrategic location. At the same time, Myanmar suits to Western standards under the concept of a "failed state". China sticks to the noninterferencepolicy towards the internal affairs of Myanmar. Military government, established in 1988, keeping the leader of the oppositionparty under house arrest for almost 20 years, is in power for now. This situation attracted international attention. In 1997 Myanmarwas imposed sanctions on for the first time, but it was strategically beneficial to China, giving more opportunities to expand the influencein Myanmar. The countries maintain friendly relations through a comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership, and theirimportant part is the relationship between the armed forces of China and Myanmar, which is developing successfully. The states preservea high frequency of intergovernmental high-level contacts, including meetings of top officials and senior military officials of bothcountries. China is the largest investor and one of the largest trading partners of Myanmar. The parties started construction of oil and gaspipelines, conducted by Chinese National Petroleum Corporation. All Chinese infrastructure projects in Myanmar aim to develop thenorth-western provinces of China, giving them access to the sea and the possibility to accelerate development through the ongoing infrastructureprojects. Access to Myanmar's ports and various transport routes can be called vital and essential for China. Over the past decade,China has formed very close economic and political relations with Myanmar, backed by the military-defence interactions. China isassisting to the modernization of the old network of naval bases and building new ports and bases that could serve as commercial andstrategic objectives for both countries. While earning a new source of energy - natural gas from Myanmar by a convenient and efficientpipeline, China diversifies the export of oil from the Middle East and Africa. Such large-scale projects provide development of Myanmarand strengthen the cooperation between the infrastructures of China and Myanmar.

Keywords

Authors

References