August 16, 2016

"Myanmese State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi will visit China from Wednesday to Sunday. As an icon of democracy, Suu Kyi is the de facto head of state of Myanmar. She plans to visit the US during the UN Convention in September, but her China visit coming briefly before she visits the US shows her intention to strike a balance between the two major powerhouses. China marks Suu Kyi's first visit outside ASEAN.

Myanmar's political fluctuations have posed some challenges to the Sino-Myanmese relationship in recent years. Myanmar is no longer decisively tilting toward China, but neither is it tilting to the West like many projected. The "swing range" of Myanmar's political change is not that great. Myanmar has reconstructed its parameters for its national interests, and China and Myanmar's traditional Pauk-Phaw friendship still exists.

After taking power, Suu Kyi has shown a kind of Mandela-like statesmanship. She has displayed goodwill with the military, and is devoted to pushing forward ethnic reconciliation at the 21st Panglong Conference. She focuses her attention on economic recovery and also pays attention to environmental protection. On August 12, Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw declared the establishment of a special committee to inspect the suspended project of Myitsone dam, a sign that might herald the restoration of the China-invested project."

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http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1000675.shtml

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