Asian Angle | China and friends surround India. Your move, New Delhi

The recent visit of China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi to Myanmar stood out as the first high-level visit between the two countries since the outbreak of the coronavirus.

It was the second state visit by Yang since he began a diplomatic charm offensive with a trip to Singapore on August 19 and followed a visit by President Xi Jinping half a year ago in which dozens of cooperation agreements were agreed.

It also comes at a significant juncture; Myanmar is to hold a general election in November and it looks likely that Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy will be returned to power.

Such high-level contacts between China and Myanmar are a reflection of a relationship that has been strengthening in recent years.

For Myanmar, China is not only its largest trade partner, its main source of foreign investment and assistance, but it is also a diplomatic shelter in the international arena. For instance China, together with Russia, has protected Myanmar from UN sanctions proposed by the West as a response to Myanmar’s alleged involvement in human rights abuses against the Rohingya.