China-Indian Ocean expansion: Beijing’s latest Silk Road plan envisions a port, pipelines and special economic zone that is meant to transform Myanmar’s Kyaukpyu backwater into a modern entrepot to rival Hong Kong and Singapore, reports Eli Meixler. The hub, like similar emerging “string of pearls” projects in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India, is aimed at fortifying Beijing’s position in the Indian Ocean and could also one day host Chinese naval vessels. READ THE STORY HERE Asia-pivot to China: Aung San Suu Kyi’s meeting with Xi Jinping at the Belt and Road summit this month punctuated what was already shaping up to be a good year for China-Myanmar relations. Asia Times reports that since US relations Myanmar soured and China was quick to fill the void, it indicates a larger Asia-wide strategic setback for Washington. READ THE STORY HERE
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
April 2024
Categories |