• Burmese
Sunday, July 20, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
29 °c
Ashburn
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Politics

Will a Chinese Charm Offensive Bring Rapprochement with Burma?

Sai Wansai by Sai Wansai
August 18, 2016
in Politics
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
China’s President Xi Jinping with State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on June 11, 2015 / Reuters

China’s President Xi Jinping with State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on June 11, 2015 / Reuters

4k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The Chinese charm offensive in the new era of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Decmocracy (NLD) government has visibly been in full swing lately.

From a Chinese envoy’s fact-finding and lobbying tour to Kachin State in June, to the recent Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Song Tao paying a courtesy call to former military strongman Snr-Gen Than Shwe—while presumably preparing for State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi’s visit to China—the offensive is underway.

A series of lobbying and opinion-shaping measures has already been undertaken, as outlined by Voice Of America in a recent analysis.

RelatedPosts

Conjuring an Election Illusion in War-Torn Shan; Raiding Offshore Gas to Stay Afloat; and More

Conjuring an Election Illusion in War-Torn Shan; Raiding Offshore Gas to Stay Afloat; and More

July 19, 2025
318
Myanmar Crisis Spells Opportunity for U.S.-India Cooperation

Myanmar Crisis Spells Opportunity for U.S.-India Cooperation

July 18, 2025
587
Behind the Scenes: China’s Hand in Myanmar’s Election

Behind the Scenes: China’s Hand in Myanmar’s Election

July 16, 2025
1.8k

• On June 4, Chinese Ambassador Hong Liang visited Kachin State to lobby for the resumption of the stalled Myitsone Dam project.
• On June 8, the China-Burma Swe Myo Pauk Phaw Friendship Foundation was formed.
• On June 11, a China-Burma caravan trip was announced—to promote friendship between the two nations—for October.
• On June 18, Union Minister U Ohn Win, who was on his way to attend an energy workshop in China, was briefed by a Chinese diplomat that China would assist with human resource development, as reported in China’s Xinhua news on June 25.

Although speculation was rife that China was keen to continue the Myitsone Dam project that had stalled in 2011 under former President Thein Sein’s government, the country’s true intentions might be tied to far more than just this particular project.

While the Chinese undoubtedly have a host of other business and political interests in mind besides the pending dam project, the NLD administration’s main and immediate concern is how to make use of Chinese influence on the ethnic armed organizations along the Sino-Burma border, so that peace can be achieved.

Suu Kyi’s unmistakable and explicit message on Monday at the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC) meeting was that although peace is her priority for the country, economic development will not be neglected.

“One reason we haven’t achieved peace is that the physical and mental needs of the people still cannot be fulfilled,” said Suu Kyi, who also serves as chairwoman of the UPDJC.

She added, “In the long run, without peace, we can’t maintain any kind of economic development. No matter how much economic progress [we make], once peace is eroded, the progress made will also be shattered.”

Ye Htut, former information minister and spokesperson of former President Thein Sein, said the heightened armed conflict that occurred in Burma after the halt of the Myitsone Dam project could have been a coincidence, or not.

In an interview with Radio Free Asia, aired on Saturday, Ye Htut said, “Because nearly all ethnic armed organizations that have not yet signed the ceasefire—with the exception of two groups in the south—are based along the Chinese border, we appreciate that China’s role is of the utmost importance to us all.”

He stressed the importance of reaching a decision that would both foster peace and support the country’s relationship with China.

“I’m of the opinion that this should be done in a speedy manner,” he added.

Daw Dwer Bu, a leader of the Unity and Democracy Party of Kachin State and former lawmaker, said that although she welcomed the formation of a commission and investigation of the dam, people were still opposed to the project.

When asked by Radio Free Asia on Saturday what she thought about a possible referendum on the issue she replied, “There is no need to do that because it is clear that the people—not only the Kachin people but also the rest of the country—are against the project.”

On Friday, a 20-member commission was formed to review proposed hydropower projects on the Irrawaddy River, assessing the potential benefits to Burmese citizens and making recommendations on whether they should proceed. Their first report is due by November 11.

Meanwhile, Suu Kyi is paying an official visit to China between August 17-21 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

Given such a backdrop, with Chinese lobbyists in high gear advocating for the resumption of the Myitsone Dam, coupled with the head of state reception being prepared for Suu Kyi, the controversial issue has reached a critical stage.

A lot of questions remain: whether the suspension of the Myitsone Dam has a direct effect on widespread armed conflict in Kachin and northern Shan states; what the consequences will be if the NLD permanently discards the agreement; if the NLD will be able to withstand public pressure if it is pressured to comply with its contractual obligation; and if China is ready to accept a likely adjustment to the terms of the agreement—perhaps the complete stoppage of the project in exchange for support for the One-China policy, South China Sea dispute or its One Belt, One Road undertaking?

These concerns might be clarified after Suu Kyi has wrapped up her visit to China and discussed the outstanding issues that she inherited from the previous government. For the time being, we just have to cross our fingers and hope for the best, for the people of Burma.

Sai Wansai is a lifelong Shan political activist and political commentator on Burma, specifically ethnic issues.

Your Thoughts …
Tags: China
Sai Wansai

Sai Wansai

Contributor

Similar Picks:

Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang
Burma

Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang

by Hein Htoo Zan
November 28, 2023
98.5k

Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army troops are opening roads and pathways through forests for people to flee Kokang’s capital as...

Read moreDetails
Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses
Business

Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses

by The Irrawaddy
November 27, 2023
38.6k

Jin San Jiao is latest northern Shan State trade hub in crosshairs of ethnic Brotherhood Alliance.

Read moreDetails
Brotherhood Alliance Marching Towards Capital of Myanmar’s Kokang Region
Burma

Brotherhood Alliance Marching Towards Capital of Myanmar’s Kokang Region

by The Irrawaddy
November 25, 2023
31k

Chinese embassy urges citizens to flee Laukkai Town as ethnic armies prepare to drive Myanmar junta troops from Kokang’s capital.

Read moreDetails
Junta Battalion Controlling Myanmar-China Trade Route Surrenders to KIA 
Burma

Junta Battalion Controlling Myanmar-China Trade Route Surrenders to KIA 

by Saw Reh
January 26, 2024
22.6k

Kachin Independence Army seizes another base in northern Shan State, cutting off regime troops in the border trade town of...

Read moreDetails
Has China Lost Control of Ethnic Armies in Myanmar’s War-Torn Borderland?
Guest Column

Has China Lost Control of Ethnic Armies in Myanmar’s War-Torn Borderland?

by Bertil Lintner
November 6, 2023
21.4k

The Brotherhood Alliance’s offensive against the junta in northern Shan has shut down trade and resource access, but Beijing still...

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Regime Raises the White Flag in Kokang Zone on China Border in Shan State
War Against the Junta

Myanmar Regime Raises the White Flag in Kokang Zone on China Border in Shan State

by The Irrawaddy
January 5, 2024
20.5k

Surrender of headquarters in Laukkai town brings the Brotherhood Alliance another step closer to its goal of ridding northern Shan...

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Police make security checks in Rangoon in May / Pyay Kyaw / The Irrawaddy

Rangoon Division Has Highest Crime Rate in Burma

The first large bend in the Salween River—also called the Nu River—in China. / Salween/Thanlwin/Nu River / Facebook

Citing Grave Risks, Shan Groups Demand Halt to Salween Dams

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

What the ‘Snake Charmer’ Analogy Gets Wrong About Myanmar

What the ‘Snake Charmer’ Analogy Gets Wrong About Myanmar

4 days ago
1.5k
Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

1 week ago
3.5k

Most Read

  • More Than 20,000 Displaced As Myanmar Junta Burns Homes Around World Heritage Site

    More Than 20,000 Displaced As Myanmar Junta Burns Homes Around World Heritage Site

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Protecting Irrawaddy Flotilla Kill 20

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta’s Recapture of Nawnghkio Shows Strategic Missteps by TNLA

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Indian Top Brass Visit Myanmar After Cross-Border Drone Attack

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The Nation Where Brave Hearts—and Martyrs—Dwell

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.