China Is Pulling Many Strings with Its Myanmar Policy

The full scope of China’s strategic interest in Myanmar has emerged with its intensified drive to open a route to the Indian Ocean with its China-Myanmar Economic Corridor linking Yunnan to the Bay of Bengal. Beijing is vocal in its support for the new, ostensibly civilian, government in Naypyidaw and has used its influence to help settle parts of the nagging opposition rebellion against the central government. This has all become more urgent due to the disruptive US-Israel war against Iran, writes Bertil Lintner, and India is making its own counter moves.