"China Tightens Grip on Myanmar’s Belt & Road Corridor After Rescuing Junta" 5 March 2025

After securing a truce in northern Shan State, China is pressing ahead with its Belt and Road projects in Myanmar, focusing on boosting security along the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC).

Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Ma Jia discussed strengthening safety for Chinese personnel during her visit to Mandalay, the heart of the CMEC, on February 26-28.

The Chinese envoy met with junta-appointed Mandalay Region Chief Minister Myo Aung and held discussions with executives from the China-backed Alpha Cement factory and the Sino-Myanmar oil and gas pipeline headquarters...The major shareholder of the pipelines is China National Petroleum Corporation...

The renewed Belt and Road push extends to the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and deep-sea port project in Rakhine State, which lies at the western end of the economic corridor.

Junta ministers and executives of China’s state-owned CITIC conglomerate recently held talks to kickstart the stalled Kyaukphyu project, which remains under junta control but is surrounded by the Arakan Army.

Earlier this month, Ma also met with Shan State chief minister Aung Aung in Taunggyi to discuss cross-border cooperation. Taunggyi is the site of a BRI highway project to link Myanmar and China...