China - Myanmar strategic partnership (2011-2021): Characteristics and impacts

Abstract

Throughout the history of relations between China and Myanmar, this can be considered one of the typical asymmetrical relationships between two neighbouring countries in international relations. As a “major power”, China has proactively sought to enhance its influence and national standing, while exerting dominance over its relationship with the “smaller country” Myanmar over the years. For Myanmar, this country has been experiencing more negative impacts than positive ones. This requires the Myanmar government to adopt appropriate countermeasures in response to China’s increasingly strong influence. Within the temporal scope of the 2011-2021 period, employing historical and logical methods in combination with an interdisciplinary approach integrating history, geography, and political science, the article aims to draw out key characteristics and evaluate the impacts of the China - Myanmar relations since the two countries elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2011.