China Studies

issue:01, 6 Feb 2022

ISP Mapping

China & Myanmar: Major Projects and Conflicts in the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor

Since before the military coup, the majority of strategic projects designed to boost activity in the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor have been implemented in ethnic minority areas where armed conflicts occur most frequently. In particular, border economic cooperation zone projects are mostly based in northern Shan State where at least 7 ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) are active, and where projects such as the construction of the Muse-Mandalay high-speed rail are planned to be built mostly through townships affected by armed clashes. Similarly, since the coup, Myanmar’s internal conflict map has expanded to incorporate escalating conflicts between State Administration Council (SAC) forces and Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs), between EAOs themselves, as well as the burgeoning conflict between SAC forces and the newly formed local defense forces (PDF/ LDF/ CDF/ KNDF etc.).

Myanmar-China Border Trade Crisis Continues

Of the six designated trade gates on the Myanmar-China border, four have reopened between November 2021 and January 2022. These gates were closed mainly due to COVID-19; this is the largest reopening since their closure. However, restrictions continue to prolong the trade crisis.

Myanmar and China’s Economic Interests

China’s response to the 2021 military coup seems to have been organized around three factors, in terms of their position on Myanmar. These are: (1) avoiding being labeled as the villain, while also remaining conscious of the political climate, avoiding any situations where

In Seven Months, Myanmar Only Saw US$33 Million in Foreign Investment from China Enter the Country

What Matters No. 73 (This article is a translation of the original Burmese language version that ISP-Myanmar posted on its Facebook page on December 28, 2021.) Investment from China in Myanmar declined significantly after the military coup by US$33 million – the lowest amount of investment by China since 2015. Compared to the same period […]

China and Myanmar: The Decline in Trade Continues

What Matters No. 70 (This article is a translation of the original Burmese language version that ISP-Myanmar posted on its Facebook page on December 23, 2021.) Trade between China and Myanmar trade has been in decline since the military coup . According to data published by the State Administration Council (SAC), the bilateral trade between […]

Foreign Trade including Myanmar-China Trade since Coup

Along with the political turmoil in Myanmar following the coup, massive public campaigns against the military have erupted. The SAC’s response to the political turmoil has resulted in closed businesses, strained banking systems, and a reduced amount of cash in circulation. Economic sanctions imposed by the international community have also severely damaged the credibility and reputation of Myanmar as a trade partner, resulting in a collapse of foreign trade and foreign direct investment on all fronts. Myanmar’s foreign trade value plunged more than half to US$ 1.7 billion for the month of February 2021, immediately following the coup, compared with more than US$ 3.6 billion in January 2021, according to statistics released by the SAC. Total two-way trade value across border posts has significantly declined since the coup.

The 100-year-old Chinese Communist Party and the Unstable Party System of Myanmar Politics

(This article is a translation of the Burmese language version that ISP-Myanmar posted on its Facebook page on July 7, 2021.) Founded in 1921, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) celebrated its centenary in July 2021. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1992, there were speculations that the Chinese Communist Party would soon follow suit, but […]

China’s Multi-layered Engagement Strategy and Myanmar’s Realities: The Best Fit for Beijing Policy Preferences – Report

The Institute for Strategy and Policy – Myanmar’s new report “China’s Multi-layered Engagement Strategy and Myanmar’s Realities: The Best Fit for Beijing Policy Preferences.” This report identifies China’s preferences toward Myanmar by exploring the various patterns of China’s recent engagement with diverse stakeholders from Myanmar. (Full report) available at Amazon Kindle Store.

China Showers Myanmar With Attention, as Trump Looks Elsewhere

By JANE PERLEZ JULY 19, 2017 NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar — When Myanmar’s leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, wanted to hold a peace conference to end her country’s long-burning insurgencies, a senior Chinese diplomat went to work. The official assembled scores of rebel leaders, many with longstanding connections to China, briefed them on the peace gathering […]