Everyone may have heard about the civil war in Burma. Under the offensive of several rebel groups, the government forces were generally defeated. Recently, the situation of the war has taken a new turn, and an important Chinese facility in Myanmar has been surrounded by rebel groups.
The Chinese facility mentioned above is the China-Myanmar energy corridor at Kyaukphyu port. It is an important part of China's Belt and Road Initiative and its energy footprint, which allows energy from the sea to enter China from the southwest without passing through the Strait of Malacca.
【Energy Port of Kyaukphyu Port】
A spokesman for the Arakan Army, a local militia of ethnic Burmese who are attacking the area, claimed that they had surrounded the area and believed that it could be taken in the near future. The group said their goal is to recapture all the land handed down from their ancestors, i.e. the whole of Rakhine State. If their statements are true, then the situation of government forces near Kyaukpyu Port is clearly not optimistic.
Interestingly, the fighting near Kyaukpyu has been going on for several months, and in the previous days, it was clear that both sides were "holding on", especially the rebels. In addition, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously confirmed that the China-Myanmar oil and gas pipeline project has not been affected by the Myanmar civil war. The reason for this situation is directly related to the importance of the Chinese project.
The China-Myanmar crude oil corridor is of great significance to China, as is it to Myanmar. China's choice to deploy here means that billions of dollars worth of investment have also poured in, which has had a positive impact on the local economy and the entire Myanmar economy. Both the Burmese government and the rebels have a very clear understanding of this matter.
[Myanmar rebels in training]
The rebels, in particular, understand that their enemy is the Burmese junta, not China. If they can really knock out the Burmese army, then they will take over the place, and the benefits will be related to them. At the same time, China's prestige in northern Myanmar has also been seen by all forces in Myanmar.
That's why we can see that the rebel forces such as the Arakan Army are more cautious in the fighting near Kyaukphyu Port, trying to advance the front little by little. The real intention is to fear that the situation will get out of control and cause damage to the Chinese project. For the Myanmar authorities, the port of Kyaukphyu is a strategic asset that cannot be lost.
[Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, leader of the Myanmar authorities]
Because China's project at Kyaukphyu Port has implications not only economically, but also politically. If government forces lose the port of Kyaukphyu, it will inevitably lead to a loss of voice in their engagement with China. This is undoubtedly worse for the current Burmese authorities. Therefore, the Burmese government army's defense here is still quite tight, and it has not been lost for the time being. However, looking at the current situation, it is estimated that the Myanmar side will face a lot of trouble in the future.
On this issue, China's basic attitude is to call for a ceasefire between the two sides, because as long as there is still a war, there will be factors of instability. At the same time, China also calls on all parties in Myanmar to attach importance to China's security concerns and work with China to safeguard the security of relevant projects and enterprises. In the final analysis, China has no habit of interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, and as long as the relevant parties can implement China's demands and earnestly safeguard China's interests, China will not take too many actions.
While the civil war in Myanmar continues, the United States has suddenly sent a somewhat strange signal to China, that is, the turbulent situation in Myanmar may become an opportunity for cooperation between China and the United States.
There is a view from the United States that the chaos in Myanmar is not in the interests of either China or the United States, and that the two countries have a common language in this direction. Therefore, China and the United States need to overcome their deep mistrust and suspicion and cooperate on the issue of Myanmar. The results of such cooperation can also have a positive effect on Sino-US relations.
[Blinken did come to China to discuss the Myanmar issue]
We don't know how many people in the U.S. hold this view, but it's interesting that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken actually talked to the Chinese foreign minister about Myanmar when he came to China, which has been confirmed in the press release released by the Chinese side. Before Blinken's visit to China, the US side also made relevant "notices" in advance, including the situation in Myanmar.
Not only that, but the actions of the Americans in this regard have indeed increased dramatically in recent times. Not long ago, U.S. officials approached representatives of the Myanmar NLD. This move is seen as a new consideration for the situation in Myanmar and a possible next step. After all, the United States has always looked at the current Burmese authorities unpleasantly and wants to support the NLD again.
【Min Aung Hlaing and Aung San Suu Kyi】
Against this backdrop, the US side suddenly asked China to talk about the situation in Myanmar and talk about the so-called common interests. One possibility is that what the United States wants to talk about is who will come to power after Burma and wants to get China's support on this issue.
What is certain, however, is that the United States did not come to the door out of consideration for the interests of neighboring countries. Throughout, the United States has had its own interests in mind. Moreover, in the final analysis, the United States is thousands of miles away from Burma, and it has nothing to do with it, and it is inherently problematic to insist on getting together.
What the United States really wants to do is probably to bring its influence into the country against the backdrop of a new round of reshuffle in Myanmar's domestic forces, and even look for a proxy in it. Considering Myanmar's close relations with China and its special position, the ultimate goal of the US side is self-evident.
[Myanmar's domestic political forces may face a round of reshuffle]
Knowing what the US side really thinks, when we look back and look back at the US side's move to take the initiative to talk to China about the situation in Myanmar, many things will become clear. If any country is really willing to contribute to the situation in Myanmar and regional peace and stability, neighboring countries, including China, will naturally raise their hands and welcome it. And if, under the guise of so-called "cooperation," certain countries actually come from thousands of miles to engage in geopolitical confrontation, then we will naturally not give the slightest chance.
What kind of country the United States is, they themselves know no better. In the final analysis, instead of playing tricks with China, the United States should first implement the five-point consensus reached between Blinken and China this time, and win China's trust with concrete actions. You know, when the Chinese side met with Blinken this time, it specifically mentioned that it hoped that Mr. Secretary of State would make this trip worthwhile.
In today's Sino-US relations, this sentence is obviously of great significance. Blinken's visit to China this time is already a face-saving gesture from the Chinese side, so the Chinese side also hopes that he will not come in vain. If the US still does not take a correct attitude on some issues, Blinken may not be able to use it in the future.