Sino-Myanmar Relations after the 2010 election: challenges and prospect

Abstract

China was thought to be Myanmar military government's most powerful support and ally before the 2010 November General Election. However, the Sino-Myanmar relation face more and more challenges after the election, especially since the establishment of the new government in March 2011. Notably, President U Thein Sein announced the suspension of the Myitsone Hydropower Station during his term of service on September 30, 2011, which was followed by Hillary Cliton's visit to Myanmar in the November and the improvement of the Myanmar-U.S. Relations. According to the international community, the current Sino-Myanmar relation has sunk in the lowest ebb ever since 1988 and its prospect is gloom. It needs rational analysis when judge the challenges facing Sino-Myanmar relations and its future.