Seminar on the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor

Yangon May 28, 2018: U Thant House and Yunnan University Institute of Myanmar Studies co-hosted a seminar on the proposed China-Myanmar Economic Corridor and to discuss about the future relations between the two countries.

“Myanmar's biggest long-term challenge, together with climate change, will be managing well its relationship with China. This is not a technical issue. It's about having a vision of how Myanmar can best benefit from being next to the greatest rising power in the world, economically, politically, and culturally” said Dr. Thant Myint-U in opening the seminar.

A series of panel discussion explored topics including transport connectivity, energy cooperation, and ways to improve people to people relations between China and Myanmar. Different perspectives were also exchanged on the relationship between economic growth and other priorities, including peace and environmental protection and sustainable business practices.

The more than 35 participants included 14 Chinese scholars from Beijing, Kunming, and Myanmar business leaders, government officials, parliamentarians, scholars, civil society leaders and advocates.

Panel discussions were led by speakers Professor Zhai Kun, Peking University, Professor Li Chenyang (Yunnan University, Head of Institute of Myanmar Studies), Shi Guoqing (Hehai University), Dr. Thant Myint-U, DICA Director-General U Aung Naing Oo, U Win Myo Thu (Managing Director, EcoDev), Dr. Thant Thaw Kaung (Daw Khin Kyi Foundation), Wu Yusong (Yunnan University).

In late 2017, China Foreign Minister Wang Yi proposed to build the economic corridor during his meeting with Myanmar’s State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi with the hope of maximizing revenue for both countries and contributing to the stability of Myanmar and China-Myanmar border. The proposed economic corridor will start in China’s Yunnan Province, extend to the central Myanmar city of Mandalay, and then east to Yangon and west to the Kyaukpyu special economic zone, forming a three-pillar giant cooperation pattern.