Rivalry and Cooperation: A New “Great Game” in Myanmar

Myanmar since its reform and opening up has become the locus for a new “Great Game” between the world’s major powers. This brings with it new challenges for China which has hitherto been the preeminent actor in Myanmar. In response China must further bolster its relations with Myanmar and exploit the divided interests of external powers. At the same time, it must also simultaneously engage in bilateral and multilateral cooperation with other powers to ensure win-win gains. Helping Myanmar achieve political stability, economic development, and social progress should be central to any cooperation. This paper accordingly provides a Chinese perspective of where Myanmar stands on the geopolitical chessboard of the twenty-first century.