Myanmar-China Relations: Political Change during Democratic Transition

Myanmar-China Relations: Political Change during Democratic Transition

Myanmar democratic transition is not an overnight process. The seven-step roadmap for the transition was drafted two previous government before USDP government under Thein Sein. With the seven-step roadmap, new constitution was adopted. Under Thein Sein government or the USDP, the seventh step which was “building a modern, developed and democratic nation by the state leaders elected by the Hluttaw, and the government and other central organs former by the Hluttaw” (Mizzima Election 2010, cited in Sun 2012) . Major changes were witnessed, and its foreign policy was an obvious evidence of the democratic transition. Myoe (2016) states the objectives of Myanmar's foreign policy under USDP government which involved a form of multilateralism, especially regional cooperation and rebalance of relationship among major powers. These all focuses of Myanmar foreign policy were motivated by various interests including domestic pressure, economic benefits, security cooperation and strategic balancing. In the other words, Myanmar foreign policy shifted from isolationism and China over-dependency to regionalism and rapprochement with various major powers. 

Domestic political transition appeared to be a driving force for such foreign policy to be conducted. First it is very important to understand the nature of politics under the USDP government. The USDP government sought for legitimacy. The USDP government needed not only domestic legitimacy but also international one. As constitutionally elected, the USDP viewed international legitimacy beneficial to Myanmar image and its economic improvement (Myoe, 2016). By reforming its political atmosphere where democratization was taking place, it opened to international investments, especially by the West. Crisis Group Asia Report (2012) states that political opening brought about economic gains including lifting of sanctions by EU, US, Australia and Japan. The flows of trades and investment would allow the USDP to gain more support from domestic to its leadership and to strengthening democratization process.

Second, prioritized areas of focuses under the USDP included fighting poverty, easing political control over civil society, political activists and political organizations and media, reforming program on rural and urban, quick win strategy  such as framework for economic and social reforms (Robinson, 2014). Such areas of development could be achieved when there was with supports of international community and foreign investments. For instance, policy of fighting poverty required foreign investments for job creation. The framework of industrial development and rural development initiatives is another example where ending its isolation and integrating its economics with global system were necessary. 

Third, the USDP was concerned over national security. Having been over-dependent on China for decades, it was dangerous for Myanmar security as it was viewed China might interfere  if keeping such heavy rely and the USDP was also aware that there was a growth of anti-China inside Myanmar (Myoe, 2016). Chinese exploitation and the over-dependency put Myanmar in a position where changing its foreign policy direction was urgent. Moreover, reducing its dependency on China while improving its relationships with others states such as the U.S., Japan, Russia and India were a Myanmar strategic rationality for national security. Not only getting rid of China could Myanmar guarantee its national security but  also benefit from maintaining good relations from these powers. For instance, having normalized relations with the U.S., Myanmar could have the U.S sanction lifted. Myanmar, moreover, has established its good relations with Russia and India in term of military cooperation while with Japan in term of “government’s peace process and efforts towards democratization”. Myoe (2016) argues that “A new foreign policy objective does not conflict with nor replace the existing ones, but supplements them to make Myanmar foreign relations more active, dynamic, and international.” 

The foreign policy of Myanmar that aimed “to enhance national security,” “to bolster economic prosperity,” and “to promote a peaceful and equitable world order” (Myoe, 2016) were motivated by political transition under the USDP government. At least three reasons of USDP to conduct such foreign policy. First, the USDP wanted legitimacy that it was a source of foreign investment; second, there were needs of foreign investment to achieve its policy to fight poverty and social development; and finally, the rebalance of relationship among powerful states was necessary to get rid of China over-dependency, to maintain Myanmar security and to benefit various aspects, including economy and democratization from, by maintaining good relations with other actors. 

References

Myoe, M. A. (2016). Myanmar’s Foreign Policy under the USDP Government: Continuities and Changes. http://nbn-resolving.org/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:gbv:18-4-9350 

SUN, Y. (2012). China and the Changing Myanmar, in: Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs 

Crisis Group Asia Report. (2012). Myanmar: The Politics of Economic Reform. https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-east-asia/myanmar/myanmar-politics-economic-reform 

Wiiliams, M. C. (2015). Myanmar’s Troubled Path to Reform: Political Prospects in a Landmark Election Year. https://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/files/chathamhouse/field/field_document/20150226Myanmar.pdf 

Robinson, G. (2014). Myanmar’s Transition: Economics or Politics? Which Came First and Why It Matters. http://www.relooney.com/NS4053/00_NS4053_156.pdf