Myanmar Agreement in Signing the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) Project
Keywords:
CMEC, Myanmar, China, Adaptive Model, Foreign PolicyAbstract
This research aims to explain the reasons behind Myanmar's decision to sign the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) project with China. The problems raised in this study are related to internal and external dynamics that affect Myanmar's foreign policy stance towards the strategic infrastructure project. This study uses a qualitative approach with literature study methods and explanatory analysis. The adaptive model theory in foreign policy developed by James N. Rosenau is used to analyze Myanmar's response to changes in the domestic and international environment. The results show that Myanmar is under pressure from external factors, such as the global power structure, regional alliances, geopolitical situation, as well as internal factors, such as the need for economic development and increased domestic political accountability. Myanmar shows an acquiescent adaptation pattern, which is a form of foreign policy adjustment that shows a tendency to approve the initiative of the dominant partner country, in this case China. The conclusions of this study show that Myanmar's decision to join the CMEC project is the result of adaptation to a combination of external pressures and internal needs, which makes China a key strategic partner in its national development framework.
Downloads
References
Akhrorova, S. U. (2020). National interests and their value in social relations. Asian Journal of Multidimensional Research (AJMR), 9(11), 235–239. https://doi.org/10.5958/2278-4853.2020.00310.9
Alam, M. S. (2013). Sino-Myanmar Nexus: Regional Impact and US Strategy: Defense Technical Information Center. https://doi.org/10.21236/ADA589026
Aung, K. H. (2020). The Political Economy of China-Myanmar Bilateral Relations Under the framework of Belt and Road Initiative. Journal of Governance and Public Policy, 7(2), 88–103. https://doi.org/10.18196/jgpp.72125
Ayedh, A. M. A., Shaharuddin, A., & Kamaruddin, M. I. H. (2019). Shariah Screening Methodology: Does It ‘Really’ Shariah Compliance? IQTISHADIA, 12(2), 144–172. https://doi.org/10.21043/iqtishadia.v12i2.5573
BBC News. (2017). Aung San Suu Kyi sangkal terjadi genosida Rohingya. https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/dunia-39511206
BBC News. (2023). Myanmar Hukuman penjara Aung San Suu Kyi dikurangi enam tahun. https://www.bbc.com/indonesia/dunia-66309446
Caldararo, N. L. (2014). Aung San Suu Kyi, Buddhism & The Crisis in Myanmar (Burma). SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2450670
Chenyang, L., & Shaojun, S. (2018). China’s OBOR Initiative and Myanmar’s Political Economy. The Chinese Economy, 51(4), 318–332. https://doi.org/10.1080/10971475.2018.1457324
Cook, A. D. B. (2013). Post-Myitsone Relations Between China and Myanmar – More Continuity than Change? East Asian Policy, 05(04), 99–106. https://doi.org/10.1142/S1793930513000408
Cornish, G., & Vivoda, V. (2016). Myanmar’s extractive industries: An institutional and regulatory assessment. The Extractive Industries and Society, 3(4), 1075–1083. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exis.2016.08.002
Creswell, J. W. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage Publication.
Crowther, S. (2020). Legal Constraint of China’s BRI: The Case of Myanmar. https://isdp.eu/publication/legal-constraints-of-chinas-bri-the-case-of-myanmar/.
Fahrurrahman. (2025). Implikasi Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Tiongkok bagi Hukum dan Teori Pembangunan di Indonesia. Jurnal Ilmu Multidisiplin, 4(5), 3484–3496. https://doi.org/10.38035/jim.v4i5.1531
Hong, Z. (2011). China–Myanmar Energy Cooperation and Its Regional Implications. Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, 30(4), 89–109. https://doi.org/10.1177/186810341103000404
Indrasari, A. F. P., & Argenti, G. (2025). Neorealisme dan Dominasi China di Myanmar: Analisis Geopolitik dan Peran China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) Pasca-Kudeta 2021. Jurnal Ilmiah Wahana Pendidikan, 11(10), 201–209.
Khairunisa, N. A., Sabaria, S., Munzir, M., & Alhazen, T. (2022). Analisis Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Negara-Negara ASEAN. Financial and Accounting Indonesian Research, 2(2), 97–113. https://doi.org/10.36232/fair.v2i2.1327
Kivimäki, T. (2016). Politics of Economic Relations Between China and Myanmar. In Y.-C. Kim (Ed.), Chinese Global Production Networks in ASEAN (pp. 137–155). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24232-3_8
Mieno, F. (2013). Toward myanmar’s new stage of development: Transition from military rule to the market. Asian Economic Policy Review, 8(1), 94–117. https://doi.org/10.1111/aepr.12009
Mizuno, A. (2016). Economic Relations Between Myanmar and China. In K. Odaka (Ed.), The Myanmar Economy (pp. 195–224). Springer Japan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-55735-7_8
Oo, Z., Dai, Y., Edderssi, Y., Dipak, D., & Singh, B. (2024). Media’s Perception of China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC): A Framing Analysis of Media Discourse on Chinese Investments in Myanmar. Studies in Media and Communication, 12(3), 375. https://doi.org/10.11114/smc.v12i3.6957
Pant, H. V. (2014). Sino-Indian Maritime Ambitions Collide in the Indian Ocean. Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs, 1(2), 187–201. https://doi.org/10.1177/2347797014536640
Prayogi, A., & Halim, F. A. (2024). Metodologi Penelitian: Pendekatan Kualitatif dan Kuantitatif. CV. Pers Lauk Puyu.
Ramesh, S. (2020). The Heisei Period (1989–2019): Economic Stagnation and the Rise of China. In S. Ramesh, China’s Economic Rise (pp. 251–280). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-49811-5_8
Renwick, N. (2014). China’s Role in Burma’s Development. IDS Bulletin, 45(4), 70–84. https://doi.org/10.1111/1759-5436.12094
Rosenau, J. N., Thompson, K. W., & Boyd, G. (Eds.). (1976). World politics: An introduction. Free Pr. [u.a.].
Simangunsong, R. A. H. (2024). Respons strategis Myanmar terhadap Cina: Analisis hedging 2014-2018. EMAGRAP: Economic Military and Geographically Business Review, 1(2), 17–30. https://doi.org/10.61511/emagrap.v1i2.2024.279
Tang, L. (2016). The China model and its efficacy in a comparative context. Journal of Chinese Governance, 1(1), 174–187. https://doi.org/10.1080/23812346.2016.1138705
Waruwu, M. (2024). Pendekatan Penelitian Kualitatif: Konsep, Prosedur, Kelebihan dan Peran di Bidang Pendidikan. Afeksi: Jurnal Penelitian Dan Evaluasi Pendidikan, 5(2), 198–211. https://doi.org/10.59698/afeksi.v5i2.236
Yang, B., Swe, T., Chen, Y., Zeng, C., Shu, H., Li, X., Yu, T., Zhang, X., & Sun, L. (2021). Energy cooperation between Myanmar and China under One Belt One Road: Current state, challenges and perspectives. Energy, 215(2), 119–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2020.119130
Yao, Y., & Zhang, Y. (2018). Public perception of Chinese investment in Myanmar and its political consequences: A survey experimental approach. Policy Brief, 1–5.
Zaztia, Tiyara, & Zahara. (2025). Integrasi Nasional dalam Perspektif Hukum Tata Negara: Analisis Normatif dan Praktik di Masyarakat Multikultural. Jurnal Legalitas, 3(2), 56–67. https://doi.org/10.31091/mudra.v26i1.1588
