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MYANMAR-CHINA-DIPLOMACY
China’s Xi jets to Myanmar in billion-dollar charm offensive
NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar, Jan 17, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Chinese President Xi Jinping
arrives in Myanmar’s capital on Friday in a show of support for the embattled
government of Aung San Suu Kyi as Beijing hopes to smooth the way for multi-
billion-dollar infrastructure deals.
The wide highways and manicured lawns of Naypyidaw, purpose-built by
generals under Myanmar’s junta, were dotted with red banners bearing Xi’s
face and greetings in Burmese and Mandarin ahead of the visit.
Xi is expected to ink a series of trade schemes as part of China’s global
Belt and Road Initiative, which could change the face of Myanmar with a deep-
sea port and high-speed rail line running east to west.
But analysts also see the trip as symbolic backing for former rights icon
Suu Kyi as Myanmar reels from international blowback over its treatment of
Rohingya Muslims.
After a welcome ceremony and dinner on Friday, Xi will sit down with Suu
Kyi and army chief Min Aung Hlaing on Saturday.
Beijing wants to nail down the port, rail link and several building
projects in the emerging democracy despite lingering wariness in Myanmar over
China’s influence.
Suu Kyi made a rare visit to Kachin state on the border with China ahead
of Xi’s visit.
Kachin is the site of a planned Chinese-backed 6,000 megawatt dam that was
stalled in 2011 in the face of vociferous criticism.
Activists are expected to protest on Saturday against any reinstatement of
the project at the Chinese embassy in Myanmar’s biggest city, Yangon.
But China remains an important economic lifeline for Myanmar, with
billions in bilateral trade.
The relationship also lends other benefits.
In an op-ed in Myanmar’s state-run media, Xi said China supports Myanmar
in “safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests and national dignity”.
China has been one of the few major powers to support Myanmar as it faces
international condemnation over its 2017 expulsion of the Rohingya, which has
prompted allegations of genocide at the UN’s top court.
The campaign occurred in Rakhine state, where Beijing is financing the
$1.3 billion port as well as a special economic zone beset by criticism.
Locals on the ground at the sprawling infrastructure projects are
concerned they will reap none of the benefits but suffer all of the
environmental and social impacts.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1150HRS