China-Myanmar Relations: Return of the Junta?

Since the 2010 elections in which the government took over drastic reforms, ending the five-decade long military regime, Burmese citizens have been opening their eyes to face a multitude of emotions – confusion, doubt, anger, and hope. With the nation finally opening its doors to the rest of the world, Myanmar has been confronted with several pressing issues, ranging from economic pressure to human rights issues.

Although not a member state, President Thein Sein recently travelled to China for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) at the invitation of the Chinese President Xi Jinping. Myanmar has had a long political history with China since 1954 when the states first affirmed the “Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.” Myanmar or Burma then, aided China in driving out the Chinese nationalist Kuomintang forces. Chinese investment and trade have always been a large part of Myanmar’s economy. However, during the past five years, investment and trade have taken dramatic leaps -- with trade increasing by 76.8% in 2010.  Chinese companies have invested $8.17 billion since March 2010: $5 billion in hydropower, $2.15 billion in the oil and gas sector and $997 million in mining. China is by far, Myanmar’s largest investor.

However, the huge amount of Chinese investment in Myanmar has motives beyond economic interests. Myanmar plays a major role in Chinese geo-strategic and security interests, supporting the latter with cheap raw natural resources. Through collaboration with the Burmese junta, China gained easy access to a resource wealth, supporting its status as an emerging superpower. In return, China acted as a pillar of support for the junta, supplying weapons and other oppressive establishments. China not only funded the junta, but also protected it from international pressure allowing human rights violations to run rampant within the nation. In January 2007, China and Russia double-vetoed a Security Council Resolution that would have taken action against the Burmese government’s human rights violations.

Despite its history, China has begun to take concerns over its “global prestige” with regards to its China-Myanmar relations, especially the previous close relationships it had with Myanmar’s notorious dictators. China was part of a UN Ministerial Group which issued a public statement requiring the 2010 elections “to be more inclusive, participatory, and transparent.”

President Thein Sein had made some promising reforms since the junta officially stepped down, including deregulation of the country’s censored media to some extent, releasing many political prisoners, and halting the controversial Chinese-led dam project. Myanmar has also constantly been under international spotlight with many significant political leaders entering and exiting the country frequently. However, many still fear the return of the junta, viewing the current China-Myanmar economic and political exchanges with critical eyes.