China is intensifying efforts to regain influence in Myanmar as its long-held dominance founders in the face of a transformation in its former army-ruled neighbour, experts say.
Dramatic reforms heralding Myanmar’s emergence from the shadow of dictatorship have astounded the West and seen the former pariah state courted by a host of international suitors.
Observers say longtime ally Beijing had assumed the end of junta rule was merely cosmetic and has been left stumbling to define its role amid nervousness over the growing influence of foreign rivals.
China was caught off guard and still has not been able to fully comprehend the magnitude of the change in this country
“China was caught off guard and still has not been able to fully comprehend the magnitude of the change in this country,” said a Myanmar analyst in Yangon, who asked not to be named.
The relationship between the Asian giant and its neighbour is under the spotlight this week with a visit to China by president Thein Sein, who shed his military uniform to become the country’s first civilian leader in decades.
The trip includes talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping to set out future ties and comes at an “important” time, according to an interview with China’s ambassador to Myanmar Yang Houlan, published on the embassy website Wednesday.
Yang said the two nations were faced with a “new factor” including the removal of US sanctions and activity by “outside forces”, “some of which do not want to see the healthy, smooth and rapid development of Sino-Myanmar relations”.
The visit underscores that Myanmar “recognises the importance of the relationship with China”, said Derek Tonkin, former British ambassador to several Southeast Asian countries.