ISP China Desk

China looks at Myanmar as a crucial partner in the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). To this end, China has already started investing in several projects in Myanmar through the China Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC). The 1,700 km CMEC is an integral part of China’s gargantuan BRI programme. Though China officially aims at constructing basic infrastructure across key economic centres in Myanmar, Beijing considers Myanmar a strong platform from which to project influence in the broader Indian Ocean region. China further believes access to Myanmar will obviate the need to traverse the difficult Strait of Malacca.