Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Myanmar on January 18 at a time when it was struggling with global criticism over its treatment of the Rohingyas.

It is learned that the two countries signed 33 agreements, 13 of which were related to infrastructure, including special economic Zone, industrial park and a strategically important Kyaukpyu port in the Indian Ocean, giving a push to China- Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC).&nbsp;

President Xi called CMEC a “priority among priorities” for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which reminds of him using similar words for China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) a few years back. It must be noted that no new big-ticket deal has been signed, as Myanmar seems to be fairly cautious, learning from past bad experience of $3.6 billion proposed Myitsone Dam project, which got suspended nearly 10 years ago due to strong local opposition and doubts over Chinese infrastructure policy of leading the countries to debt trap.&nbsp;

China’s large-scale infrastructure projects in South Asia increases its presence in the Indian Ocean region. Myanmar and Pakistan are Chinese partners in BRI. Both CMEC and CPEC are part of BRI projects, aiming to give warm water access to China avoiding Malacca dilemma, deep-sea ports in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea respectively, for smooth flow of oil and trade commodities. Both provide ports which can be used as military bases, capable of positioning PLA naval assets.&nbsp;

Interestingly both these ports are prone to blockade by Indian and friendly Navies. Most importantly CMEC and CPEC are pushing Pakistan and Myanmar into the debt trap. India needs to be concerned about CMEC as it leads to Bay of Bengal threatening  Andaman and Nicobar islands. To build the corridors for its economic interests, China chose to overlook the persecution of minorities and state-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan and sideline Rohingya issue in case of Myanmar.&nbsp;

Unlike CPEC, which encroaches directly into the sovereign territory of India strengthening Sino-Pak nexus, CMEC does not affect Indian territory directly. Myanmar is a sovereign country, which maintains cordial relations with India, has no formal military alliance with China, but its genuine developmental needs necessitate Chinese help in infrastructure projects.&nbsp;

Presently, India has no reason to believe the collusion of Myanmar with China will go against Indian interest. Cancellation of the Myitsone hydropower dam project has resulted in a debt trap for Myanmar to repay the $800 million ($1.06 billion) already invested by China, which is unviable for Myanmar. China has, thus, sealed the Kyaukpyu project deal to pump oil through 793 kilometres pipeline across Myanmar to southwest China through debt-trap diplomacy. The port is the entry point of a pipeline and is expected to carry oil from the Bay of Bengal to refineries in Yunnan.&nbsp;

Gaining preferential access to the strategic deep port at Kyaukpyu, which is close to Indian funded Sittwe port, and luring Myanmar with Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a worthwhile gain for China. The concern is that if Myanmar doesn’t receive sufficient revenue from the port, it will be taken over by Beijing like Gwadar port. China’s investment in transportation infrastructure, particularly railways, roads, pipelines, airfields, waterways, and ports, gives China access to the Bay of Bengal, allows its strategic positioning along the critical global sea lanes.

China is also trying to hard sell the idea that these projects will bring stability to Rakhine, but locals appear unconvinced after observing the fate of promised SEZ in Balochistan, which helped nobody except Chinese. People in Rakhine province remain sceptical about promised job creation, as well as, pending land settlement cases related to these projects.

Rohingya Issue has been one of the reasons for Myanmar being so amenable to China in recent times, due to the support it received from China, when it stood almost isolated, facing international criticism over its handling of the issue. China defended Myanmar internationally and posed the biggest obstacle to the prosecution of its leaders at an international war crimes tribunal.&nbsp;

China’s inroads in Myanmar and Pakistan are a growing cause of concern as it helps Beijing&nbsp;to encircle India from both sides. Strategically India will have to continue with improving defence profile of its littorals in the Bay of Bengal, collaborate with other Navies and observe the progress of CMEC and CPEC.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&nbsp;(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Myanmar on January 18 at a time when it was struggling with global criticism over its treatment of the Rohingyas. It is learned that the two countries signed 33 agreements, 13 of which were related to infrastructure, including special economic Zone, industrial park and a strategically important Kyaukpyu port in the Indian Ocean, giving a push to China- Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC).

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Myanmar on January 18 at a time when it was struggling with global criticism over its treatment of the Rohingyas. It is learned that the two countries signed 33 agreements, 13 of which were related to infrastructure, including special economic Zone, industrial park and a strategically important Kyaukpyu port in the Indian Ocean, giving a push to China- Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC). President Xi called CMEC a “priority among priorities” for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which reminds of him using similar words for China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) a few years back. It must be noted that no new big-ticket deal has been signed, as Myanmar seems to be fairly cautious, learning from past bad experience of $3.6 billion proposed Myitsone Dam project, which got suspended nearly 10 years ago due to strong local opposition and doubts over Chinese infrastructure policy of leading the countries to debt trap. China’s large-scale infrastructure projects in South Asia increases its presence in the Indian Ocean region. Myanmar and Pakistan are Chinese partners in BRI. Both CMEC and CPEC are part of BRI projects, aiming to give warm water access to China avoiding Malacca dilemma, deep-sea ports in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea respectively, for smooth flow of oil and trade commodities. Both provide ports which can be used as military bases, capable of positioning PLA naval assets. Interestingly both these ports are prone to blockade by Indian and friendly Navies. Most importantly CMEC and CPEC are pushing Pakistan and Myanmar into the debt trap. India needs to be concerned about CMEC as it leads to Bay of Bengal threatening  Andaman and Nicobar islands. To build the corridors for its economic interests, China chose to overlook the persecution of minorities and state-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan and sideline Rohingya issue in case of Myanmar. Unlike CPEC, which encroaches directly into the sovereign territory of India strengthening Sino-Pak nexus, CMEC does not affect Indian territory directly. Myanmar is a sovereign country, which maintains cordial relations with India, has no formal military alliance with China, but its genuine developmental needs necessitate Chinese help in infrastructure projects. Presently, India has no reason to believe the collusion of Myanmar with China will go against Indian interest. Cancellation of the Myitsone hydropower dam project has resulted in a debt trap for Myanmar to repay the $800 million ($1.06 billion) already invested by China, which is unviable for Myanmar. China has, thus, sealed the Kyaukpyu project deal to pump oil through 793 kilometres pipeline across Myanmar to southwest China through debt-trap diplomacy. The port is the entry point of a pipeline and is expected to carry oil from the Bay of Bengal to refineries in Yunnan. Gaining preferential access to the strategic deep port at Kyaukpyu, which is close to Indian funded Sittwe port, and luring Myanmar with Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a worthwhile gain for China. The concern is that if Myanmar doesn’t receive sufficient revenue from the port, it will be taken over by Beijing like Gwadar port. China’s investment in transportation infrastructure, particularly railways, roads, pipelines, airfields, waterways, and ports, gives China access to the Bay of Bengal, allows its strategic positioning along the critical global sea lanes. China is also trying to hard sell the idea that these projects will bring stability to Rakhine, but locals appear unconvinced after observing the fate of promised SEZ in Balochistan, which helped nobody except Chinese. People in Rakhine province remain sceptical about promised job creation, as well as, pending land settlement cases related to these projects. Rohingya Issue has been one of the reasons for Myanmar being so amenable to China in recent times, due to the support it received from China, when it stood almost isolated, facing international criticism over its handling of the issue. China defended Myanmar internationally and posed the biggest obstacle to the prosecution of its leaders at an international war crimes tribunal. China’s inroads in Myanmar and Pakistan are a growing cause of concern as it helps Beijing to encircle India from both sides. Strategically India will have to continue with improving defence profile of its littorals in the Bay of Bengal, collaborate with other Navies and observe the progress of CMEC and CPEC. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Is China-Myanmar Economic Corridor turning out to be another CPEC?

Chinese President Xi Jinping met Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday while vowing to bring about a "new era" in relations&nbsp;with Myanmar.

Xi was accorded a ceremonial welcome by the Myanmar President Win Myint who called the Chinese president's visit a "very historic and important trip".

President Xi Jinping who is on a two-day visit is seeking to push the Belt and Road(BRI) project as China seeks to push the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC).

<img alt="Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Myanmar President Win Myint meet at the Presidential Palace in Naypyidaw" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="87dea30a-0645-4dab-bdd6-cebb533c33a8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2866%29.jpg" /> 
[ Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Myanmar President Win Myint meet at the Presidential Palace in Naypyidaw (Courtesy: AFP)&nbsp;]

President Xi who has put the BRI project as the centrepiece of his reign will be looking to ink a deal with the Myanmar government on the deep-sea port at Kyaukphyu in central Rakhine state, including a rail link to boost trade and connectivity between the two nations.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/xis-visit-to-open-a-new-chapter-in-china-myanmar-friendly-exchanges-274824/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Chinese president will also be keen to put his signature on the Myitsone hydropower dam in Kachin state as part of the multi-billion dollar road and sea link during his visit. After Singapore, China is the second-biggest investor in Myanmar.

<img alt="Chinese President Xi Jinping and Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a727d934-2981-4626-86f7-1a3815d51202" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2864%29_0.jpg" /> 
[ Chinese President Xi Jinping and&nbsp;Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi shake hands at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

As vice-president in 2009, Xi had signed the Myitsone dam with Myanmar's junta but the project ran into trouble after locals protested over environmental damage, after which it was stopped by authorities.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday while vowing to bring about a "new era" in relations with Myanmar. Xi was accorded a ceremonial welcome by the Myanmar President Win Myint who called the Chinese president's visit a "very historic and important trip".

Chinese President Xi Jinping met Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday while vowing to bring about a "new era" in relations with Myanmar. Xi was accorded a ceremonial welcome by the Myanmar President Win Myint who called the Chinese president's visit a "very historic and important trip". President Xi Jinping who is on a two-day visit is seeking to push the Belt and Road(BRI) project as China seeks to push the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC). [ Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Myanmar President Win Myint meet at the Presidential Palace in Naypyidaw (Courtesy: AFP) ] President Xi who has put the BRI project as the centrepiece of his reign will be looking to ink a deal with the Myanmar government on the deep-sea port at Kyaukphyu in central Rakhine state, including a rail link to boost trade and connectivity between the two nations. Watch Video: The Chinese president will also be keen to put his signature on the Myitsone hydropower dam in Kachin state as part of the multi-billion dollar road and sea link during his visit. After Singapore, China is the second-biggest investor in Myanmar. [ Chinese President Xi Jinping and Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi shake hands at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw (Courtesy: Reuters) ] As vice-president in 2009, Xi had signed the Myitsone dam with Myanmar's junta but the project ran into trouble after locals protested over environmental damage, after which it was stopped by authorities.

President Xi meets Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar President with eye on Belt and Road project

China's President Xi Jinping will arrive in Myanmar on Friday to nail down multi-billion-dollar infrastructure deals in a country abandoned by many in the West appalled at the "genocide" of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/icj-ruling-on-urgent-measures-in-rohingya-case-on-january-23-gambia-274450">Rohingya Muslims</a> on leader Aung San Suu Kyi's watch.

Xi's two-day visit, his first as president, will seek to cement Beijing's position as Myanmar's largest investor and strategic partner.

The much-trumpeted China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) aims to connect the Middle Kingdom to the Indian Ocean, a key route in Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative that envisions Chinese infrastructure and influence spanning the globe.

In addition to offering tens of billions of dollars in investment, China shields its neighbour at the United Nations, where pressure is mounting for accountability over the Rohingya crisis.

Yet the relationship between the countries is tangled.

Ethnic conflicts sizzling in border zones and the impact of dams, pipelines and transport links risk awakening hostility over Chinese intentions.

For China, it is "time to get things back on track", historian Thant Myint-U wrote in his latest book.

'Open for business'

The headline deal will likely be a colossal factory zone and deep-sea port in Rakhine state, which lies on Myanmar's west coast beside the Bay of Bengal.

Myanmar successfully slashed the cost of Kyaukphyu port from $7.2 billion to $1.3 billion, reducing the chance of it turning into a debt trap.

Like other Chinese-led projects, however, public details are scant.

Rakhine's northern fringes saw 740,000 Rohingya forced out in a bloody military crackdown in 2017.

The state remains the stage for a civil war between the military and an ethnic Rakhine rebel group.

Undeterred, Myanmar has declared the area open for business.

While Western investors have shunned the opportunity, China -- competing against other regional giants -- has few such qualms.

Billions of cubic metres of gas and millions of barrels of oil from offshore rigs are pumped each year across the country to China.

Beijing now wants to secure plans for a high-speed rail link between the port and China's landlocked Yunnan province.

Other key projects include industrial zones on the shared border and a makeover for commercial hub Yangon.

Analyst Richard Horsey said the visit brings both huge opportunity and enormous risk for Myanmar.

"They feel they're again over-reliant on China and that's a very dangerous place to be."

China already holds the largest share -- around $4 billion or 40 percent -- of Myanmar's foreign debt.

That dam question

The future of a suspended, Beijing-backed mega-dam in northern Kachin state threatens to overshadow Xi's visit.

As vice-president in 2009, Xi signed off on the Myitsone dam with Myanmar's then-military junta.

But widespread public anger brought the project to an abrupt halt two years later in an affront to China.

The $3.6 billion dam would flood an area the size of Singapore and critics warn of irreparable damage to the Ayeyarwady River.

Inching towards restarting the project would be "catastrophic, counter-productive and unpopular" ahead of Myanmar elections later this year, said Horsey.

Once a vocal opponent of the dam, Suu Kyi last year called on people to reconsider their opposition.

Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui last week cryptically said the two nations remained in "close communication" on the issue.

But anger still permeates local communities.

Ndau Pri, 60, who was shunted from her home 10 years ago by early construction work, still cannot return as the project has not been definitively cancelled.

"They don't care about us," she told AFP, gesturing to the infertile ground around her new village.

Hearts and minds

The Xi visit is also to "show support to Suu Kyi in the context of the Rohingya crisis", analyst Yun Sun said.

Suu Kyi's reputation in the West lay shattered even before she defended her nation against genocide charges at the UN's top court in The Hague last month.

Luo, the Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister, focused on extolling China's role in mediating between Bangladesh and Myanmar over the Rohingya.

China plays a shadowy yet influential role behind the scenes of other festering conflicts with rebel groups, particularly on the countries' shared border.

The economic corridor will cut through mountainous areas of Shan state, where a dozen insurgent armies and hundreds of militia forces are based.

Local media reported a Chinese envoy this week even visited key militant groups to warn them not to undermine the summit.

Xi will meet both Suu Kyi and powerful army chief Min Aung Hlaing to deepen ties.

From Rakhine fishermen to Kachin farmers, hearts and minds in Myanmar, however, are far from won.

"China could again become the bogeyman, seen as the existential threat to the country," Horsey said. 
&nbsp;

China's President Xi Jinping will arrive in Myanmar on Friday to nail down multi-billion-dollar infrastructure deals in a country abandoned by many in the West appalled at the "genocide" of Rohingya Muslims on leader Aung San Suu Kyi's watch.

China's President Xi Jinping will arrive in Myanmar on Friday to nail down multi-billion-dollar infrastructure deals in a country abandoned by many in the West appalled at the "genocide" of Rohingya Muslims on leader Aung San Suu Kyi's watch. Xi's two-day visit, his first as president, will seek to cement Beijing's position as Myanmar's largest investor and strategic partner. The much-trumpeted China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) aims to connect the Middle Kingdom to the Indian Ocean, a key route in Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative that envisions Chinese infrastructure and influence spanning the globe. In addition to offering tens of billions of dollars in investment, China shields its neighbour at the United Nations, where pressure is mounting for accountability over the Rohingya crisis. Yet the relationship between the countries is tangled. Ethnic conflicts sizzling in border zones and the impact of dams, pipelines and transport links risk awakening hostility over Chinese intentions. For China, it is "time to get things back on track", historian Thant Myint-U wrote in his latest book. 'Open for business' The headline deal will likely be a colossal factory zone and deep-sea port in Rakhine state, which lies on Myanmar's west coast beside the Bay of Bengal. Myanmar successfully slashed the cost of Kyaukphyu port from $7.2 billion to $1.3 billion, reducing the chance of it turning into a debt trap. Like other Chinese-led projects, however, public details are scant. Rakhine's northern fringes saw 740,000 Rohingya forced out in a bloody military crackdown in 2017. The state remains the stage for a civil war between the military and an ethnic Rakhine rebel group. Undeterred, Myanmar has declared the area open for business. While Western investors have shunned the opportunity, China -- competing against other regional giants -- has few such qualms. Billions of cubic metres of gas and millions of barrels of oil from offshore rigs are pumped each year across the country to China. Beijing now wants to secure plans for a high-speed rail link between the port and China's landlocked Yunnan province. Other key projects include industrial zones on the shared border and a makeover for commercial hub Yangon. Analyst Richard Horsey said the visit brings both huge opportunity and enormous risk for Myanmar. "They feel they're again over-reliant on China and that's a very dangerous place to be." China already holds the largest share -- around $4 billion or 40 percent -- of Myanmar's foreign debt. That dam question The future of a suspended, Beijing-backed mega-dam in northern Kachin state threatens to overshadow Xi's visit. As vice-president in 2009, Xi signed off on the Myitsone dam with Myanmar's then-military junta. But widespread public anger brought the project to an abrupt halt two years later in an affront to China. The $3.6 billion dam would flood an area the size of Singapore and critics warn of irreparable damage to the Ayeyarwady River. Inching towards restarting the project would be "catastrophic, counter-productive and unpopular" ahead of Myanmar elections later this year, said Horsey. Once a vocal opponent of the dam, Suu Kyi last year called on people to reconsider their opposition. Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui last week cryptically said the two nations remained in "close communication" on the issue. But anger still permeates local communities. Ndau Pri, 60, who was shunted from her home 10 years ago by early construction work, still cannot return as the project has not been definitively cancelled. "They don't care about us," she told AFP, gesturing to the infertile ground around her new village. Hearts and minds The Xi visit is also to "show support to Suu Kyi in the context of the Rohingya crisis", analyst Yun Sun said. Suu Kyi's reputation in the West lay shattered even before she defended her nation against genocide charges at the UN's top court in The Hague last month. Luo, the Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister, focused on extolling China's role in mediating between Bangladesh and Myanmar over the Rohingya. China plays a shadowy yet influential role behind the scenes of other festering conflicts with rebel groups, particularly on the countries' shared border. The economic corridor will cut through mountainous areas of Shan state, where a dozen insurgent armies and hundreds of militia forces are based. Local media reported a Chinese envoy this week even visited key militant groups to warn them not to undermine the summit. Xi will meet both Suu Kyi and powerful army chief Min Aung Hlaing to deepen ties. From Rakhine fishermen to Kachin farmers, hearts and minds in Myanmar, however, are far from won. "China could again become the bogeyman, seen as the existential threat to the country," Horsey said.

China's Xi to visit Myanmar to drive home Belt and Road plan