The changing dynamics of China-Myanmar relations post the Military Coup - From Hedging to Bandwagoning?

Abstract

Myanmar was ostracized by the major western democracies and a series of sanctions were imposed against the military junta post the coup in 2021. This led other major powers like China to capitalize on the situation on the ground. With Myanmar sharing one of its longest land borders with China, therefore the response of Beijing regarding the military coup becomes a critical issue to investigate. This article investigated how China which is one of the major powers and one of Myanmar’s most important trading partners responded to the military coup. The paper further examines the geo-strategies and geo-economic interests of China with respect to Myanmar. The paper analysed the alteration of China’s Myanmar policy from the beginning of the coup and how it had altered post one year after the coup. The paper uses the theoretical approach of hedging and bandwagoning to determine the change in China’s approach toward Myanmar.