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Chinese hydropower policy in Myanmar. The cases of Yadanabon Bridge and Myitsone Dam

Verre, Filippo LU (2021) In Rivista di Studi Politici Internazionali 88(2). p.225-244
Abstract
Since 1988, China's influence in Myanmar, both on a political and financial scale, has been relevant. Following the democratic bend that occurred in former Burma in 2011 and the ensuing opening to global markets, Beijing has partially lost its long-held privileges in the country. In order to maintain a solid geo-economic supremacy in Naypyitaw's internal affairs, since 2006, China has embarked upon several hydric projects. This article examines two: the Yadanabon Bridge and the Myitsone Dam. The first one was completed according to Chinese plans, while the latter was halted due to environmental and political issues. More specifically, the interruption of the dam's project is a direct consequence of Beijing's aggressive approach towards... (More)
Since 1988, China's influence in Myanmar, both on a political and financial scale, has been relevant. Following the democratic bend that occurred in former Burma in 2011 and the ensuing opening to global markets, Beijing has partially lost its long-held privileges in the country. In order to maintain a solid geo-economic supremacy in Naypyitaw's internal affairs, since 2006, China has embarked upon several hydric projects. This article examines two: the Yadanabon Bridge and the Myitsone Dam. The first one was completed according to Chinese plans, while the latter was halted due to environmental and political issues. More specifically, the interruption of the dam's project is a direct consequence of Beijing's aggressive approach towards Myanmar, which is considered a sort of "foreign province" rather than an actual sovereign state and a potential partner. Myanmar is highly relevant to Chinese geopolitical strategy in Asia. However, the raptorial inclination of the communist regime in terms of mutual relations with former Burma is pushing Naypyitaw to rely on other Asian and global players for its economic and diplomatic support. In this regard, India, Japan and, to a lesser extent, the US have stepped in vigorously to back financially and politically Myanmar. On the other hand, Beijing is experiencing a negative phase in its relations with Naypyitaw, notwithstanding China's massive amount of money in former Burma's water infrastructures.
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published
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in
Rivista di Studi Politici Internazionali
volume
88
issue
2
pages
20 pages
ISSN
0035-6611
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
c5f9b9d3-ed71-410f-9cfd-879141cf5988
date added to LUP
2024-03-15 11:46:57
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@article{c5f9b9d3-ed71-410f-9cfd-879141cf5988,
  abstract     = {{Since 1988, China's influence in Myanmar, both on a political and financial scale, has been relevant. Following the democratic bend that occurred in former Burma in 2011 and the ensuing opening to global markets, Beijing has partially lost its long-held privileges in the country. In order to maintain a solid geo-economic supremacy in Naypyitaw's internal affairs, since 2006, China has embarked upon several hydric projects. This article examines two: the Yadanabon Bridge and the Myitsone Dam. The first one was completed according to Chinese plans, while the latter was halted due to environmental and political issues. More specifically, the interruption of the dam's project is a direct consequence of Beijing's aggressive approach towards Myanmar, which is considered a sort of "foreign province" rather than an actual sovereign state and a potential partner. Myanmar is highly relevant to Chinese geopolitical strategy in Asia. However, the raptorial inclination of the communist regime in terms of mutual relations with former Burma is pushing Naypyitaw to rely on other Asian and global players for its economic and diplomatic support. In this regard, India, Japan and, to a lesser extent, the US have stepped in vigorously to back financially and politically Myanmar. On the other hand, Beijing is experiencing a negative phase in its relations with Naypyitaw, notwithstanding China's massive amount of money in former Burma's water infrastructures. <br/>}},
  author       = {{Verre, Filippo}},
  issn         = {{0035-6611}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{06}},
  number       = {{2}},
  pages        = {{225--244}},
  series       = {{Rivista di Studi Politici Internazionali}},
  title        = {{Chinese hydropower policy in Myanmar. The cases of Yadanabon Bridge and Myitsone Dam}},
  volume       = {{88}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}