Xi’s Myanmar visit to usher in new vistas
By Dai
Yonghong
China
and Myanmar have established diplomatic relations for 70 years since 1950.
During the past seven decades, the international situation has changed
significantly. In spite of huge pressures from domestic politics and foreign
policies, both countries have been maintaining friendly neighborly relations,
cooperating under the framework of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and sticking to the Five
Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The two countries set a good example of
building a harmonious world.
China
and Myanmar boosting harmonious and stable bilateral ties is of strategic
significance. As a strategic channel from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean, a
hub connecting South Asia, East Asia and Southeast Asia, and a sea gate of
China’s “two-ocean” strategy, Myanmar sits at crucial strategic location.
Myanmar’s
role in ensuring China’s energy supply diversification is significant.
China-Myanmar oil and gas pipeline provides a better energy channel option for
China. Furthermore, Myanmar’s border with China has been demarcated since 1960.
It was the first country to settle border issues with China since the founding
of the People’s Republic of China. It sets an important example and is a
pioneer of China’s development of harmonious relations with neighboring
countries.
On his
first overseas trip in 2020, President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to
Myanmar on January 17 and 18. Xi’s visit shows respect to former Chinese
premier Zhou Enlai and former prime minister of Myanmar U Nu who contributed
significantly to bilateral ties. It also reveals his affirmation of cooperation
between the two countries under the BRI framework and his desire to further
enrich relations and start a new era of China-Myanmar ties.
Xi’s
visit will focus on agenda such as the construction of the China-Myanmar
Economic Corridor and cooperation on infrastructure and regional security.
First,
the two countries have common interests in maintaining regional peace and
security. As an important participant in regional and global governance,
Beijing will cooperate with Nay Pyi Taw in dealing with regional conflicts and
the Rohingya issue.
As a
member of ASEAN, Myanmar will carry out closer economic and trade cooperation
with China under the framework of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
By promoting the development of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, Myanmar’s
economic development will have more opportunities due to the huge Chinese
market. Also, China can open up more to Southeast Asia through Myanmar and help
the country become an important participant in the BRI. Besides, Myanmar can
learn from China’s successful experience of development and government to make
breakthroughs in its progress.
Of
course, there are obstacles on the way to a promising future for relations.
Some factors still hold back and constrain the depth and breadth of bilateral
cooperation. On the one hand, external forces continue to meddle in the
relationship between China and Myanmar.
Since
the beginning of its democratization, Myanmar has made great achievements, but
has also encountered new problems, especially in its lack of proper management
of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). For example, some NGOs play the role
of agents of international anti-China forces. They sabotage the friendship
between China and Myanmar within both Myanmar’s government and its society,
creating problems for the promotion of China-Myanmar relations.
On the
other hand, certain unresolved issues that have already existed between China
and Myanmar are still troubling. Take the Myitsone Dam and the Letpadaung
Copper Mine as instances. The disagreements over them have not been dealt with
properly. This hinders the further development of China-Myanmar relations, as
well as the expansion of bilateral trade and investment. Moreover, there is
mismanagement of the grey areas along the China-Myanmar border. Illegal trade,
drug trafficking and insurgent groups are quite active in the area,
complicating the situation. Tackling these problems needs time which tests the
will and wisdom of both countries’ leaders.
President
Xi’s visit to Myanmar not only reaffirms China’s firm belief in building
harmonious surroundings, but also serves to support the objectivity, fairness
and restraint of Myanmar President Win Myint and State Counselor Aung San Suu
Kyi in dealing with international and domestic affairs. The visit also shows
China’s determination and commitment to new cooperation and build a new Asian
periphery with Myanmar. Under the circumstance that the world is undergoing
significant historical changes, China is now facing great opportunities for its
national rejuvenation. Myanmar is making rapid progress in its democratization
and modernization as well. Both countries should jointly face the turbulent
international situation, joining hands to achieve the crucial goals of
independence and prosperity.
The author is director at the
Institute of the Bay of Bengal Studies, Shenzhen University.
opinion@globaltimes.com.cn
Source:Global Times
The national flags of China and Myanmar.
(Photo from CFP)
Xi’s Myanmar visit to usher in new vistas
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