Sinocentric

Chinese warship visits Myanmar

BY Peter Martin

Xinhua reports that a Chinese naval warship has docked for a port call in Myanmar. The ship was greeted with a ‘grand ceremony’ held by a welcoming party of 200 people – most of whom were Chinese citizens. The visit is part of a much wider effort on the part of China to expand its influence in mainland Southeast Asia, an area it considers to be its strategic backyard but where it is also keenly aware of competition for influence from other countries in the region, especially India and Russia. China and Myanmar enjoy diplomatic relations stretching back 60 years and their governments share a common view of international politics in that both fear outside influence in their political systems and seek ways to counter US hegemony. They have found ample room for economic cooperation in their relationship (Myanmar has, in particular, been able to provide oil and gas for China) and China has provided political and diplomatic cover for Myanmar in international organizations over its human rights record. This kind of military cooperation, however, represents a relatively new juncture in the two countries’ relations and represents the increased geopolitical ambitions and growing self-confidence of China.

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