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China and the February 1, 2021 Coup d'Etat in Burma: Beijing's Geopolitical Nightmare

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2025

Donald M. Seekins
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Abstract

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Despite its oft-stated commitment to non-interference in the domestic affairs of foreign countries, the People's Republic of China has intervened on many levels in Burma's conflict-ridden society, both before and after 1988. It is in 2021 Burma's largest economic partner in terms of trade, aid and investment, and has fit Burma into its continent- and ocean-spanning One Belt/One Road Initiative. In chronically unstable border areas, it has a major influence on armed insurgent groups such as the Kokang Group and the United Wa State Army. Beijing's top priority has been to ensure political stability, and it found Aung San Suu Kyi a willing and able partner after she became “State Counselor” in 2016. But the coup d'etat of February 1, 2021 has cast a shadow over the Beijing-Naypyidaw relationship and Burma's future.

Keywords

Burma (Myanmar)ChinaOne Belt/One Road InitiativeState Law and Order Restoration Council/State Peace and Development CouncilState Administrative CouncilAung San Suu Kyi
Type
Research Article
Information
Asia-Pacific Journal , Volume 19 , Issue 10 , May 2021 , e1
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2021

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