<
https://theconversation.com/chinas-influence-in-myanmar-could-tip-the-scales-towards-war-in-the-south-china-sea-189780>
"The fate of Myanmar has major implications for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
An undemocratic Myanmar serves no one’s interests except China, which is
consolidating its economic and strategic influence in its smaller neighbour in
pursuit of its two-ocean strategy.
Since the coup China has been – by far – the main source of foreign investment
in Myanmar.
This includes US$2.5 billion in a gas-fired power plant to be built west of
Myanmar’s capital, Yangon, that will be 81% owned and operated by Chinese
companies.
Among the dozens of infrastructure projects China is funding are high-speed
rail links and dams. But its most strategically important investment is the
China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, encompassing oil and gas pipelines, roads and
rail links costing many tens of billions of dollars.
The corridor’s “jewel in the crown” is a deep-sea port to be built at
Kyaukphyu, on Myanmar’s west coast, at an estimated cost of US$7 billion.
This will finally give China its long-desired “back door” to the Indian Ocean."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
