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Myanmar’s changing ties with China
OpinionComment

How Myanmar’s understanding of China is paving the way for economic success

Houmin Yan and Da Hsuan Feng say thanks to their knowledge and understanding of China and the Chinese, the people and government of Myanmar are better placed than their Asean peers to benefit from collaboration with Beijing, particularly in the belt and road scheme

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By understanding China so clearly, and by becoming a part of the belt and road architecture, Myanmar could be a case study for Asean. Illustration: Craig Stephens
Houmin YanandDa Hsuan Feng
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s presence at the 14th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention in Yangon was a timely reminder that, among Asean members, Myanmar is probably the most proactive ­in participating in China’s “Belt and Road Initiative”.
There are many reasons to say this. First, among all the countries that could help Myanmar grow, China appears to fit the bill best.
For nearly five decades, Myanmar was essentially closed to the outside world, so its basic infrastructure severely lags behind the more advanced members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, such as Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. ­

Despite significant affluence in major metropolitan areas such as Yangon, overall, the country has a weak services ­sector and depends heavily on imports for much of its industrial needs, such as steel, ­concrete and even daily necessities.

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The present government is aware of the country’s shortcomings, and had sought the ­assistance of Western nations, such as the US, Japan and those in Europe. Yet, despite many promises from these advanced countries, what has been delivered in the past few years has proved quite disappointing.

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