Relationship dossier
People's Republic of China
Myanmar
Relationship assessment
A close but asymmetric partnership shaped by Chinese investment, diplomatic support and influence in Myanmar.
People's Republic of China toward Myanmar
+55China has supplied arms to Myanmar and provided diplomatic support to its military authorities, including opposing international pressure for punitive measures. It has invested in major infrastructure and energy links, and has mediated ceasefire arrangements involving Myanmar's military and ethnic armed groups.
Myanmar toward People's Republic of China
+45Myanmar has pursued Chinese-backed infrastructure and energy projects, including oil and gas pipelines linking the two countries, and has affirmed the One-China policy. Its governments have also sought to retain room for maneuver: Myanmar suspended the Myitsone dam project, reflecting domestic opposition and resistance to some Chinese-backed plans.
Overall relationship
+50The relationship has durable strategic and economic foundations, including major Chinese investment and infrastructure links, Myanmar's reliance on Chinese diplomatic support, and China's role in engagement with Myanmar's military and ethnic armed groups. It remains asymmetric and periodically contentious, as Myanmar has resisted or delayed projects such as the Myitsone dam and faced domestic opposition to aspects of Chinese involvement.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
China and Myanmar maintain a substantial, asymmetric partnership built around Chinese investment, infrastructure and diplomatic support, alongside Myanmar's reliance on Chinese engagement. China has supported Myanmar's military authorities diplomatically and supplied arms, while also mediating with ethnic armed groups. Myanmar has pursued major Chinese-backed infrastructure projects and affirmed the One-China policy, but has also resisted or delayed some projects, including suspending the Myitsone dam project.
Areas of tension
- Myanmar's suspension of the Chinese-backed Myitsone dam project amid domestic opposition.
- Myanmar's concern over the terms and local impact of Chinese-backed infrastructure and investment.
- China's influence and engagement with ethnic armed groups along the Myanmar-China border.
Key developments
Myanmar suspended the Chinese-backed Myitsone dam project amid domestic opposition.
Oil and gas pipelines connecting Myanmar and China became part of their bilateral energy infrastructure.
China has mediated ceasefire arrangements involving Myanmar's military and ethnic armed groups.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of Chinese-backed infrastructure projects in Myanmar remain subject to change.
- The balance between China's engagement with Myanmar's military authorities and its contacts with ethnic armed groups is unclear.
- The extent of Myanmar's current policy toward Chinese investment and security concerns is uncertain.