Sino-Burmese relations (1949-2008)
Name: Chen WeibinStudent ID：s07335
Research paper supervisor:Dr.Seku Conde
Minzu University of China
2007-2008 Academic Year
Abstract: Contemporary China and Burma have established a good-neighborly friendship, peacefully cooperation in bilateral relations. This relationship will be further consolidated and developed in the future. The further development of such relations between China and Burma is possible and necessary on both sides. It is good for Burma to maintain domestic stability, to improve the international environment, to raise its international status, and to develop the national economy. It is also good for China to create a favorable international environment surrounding, to actualize the Indian Ocean strategy, to protect the economic security. Development of the bilateral relations will be conducive to China's western development strategy, promoting the development of western China.
Key words: China, Burma, the bilateral relations, development
Introduction
China and Burma are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers. The traditional friendship of the two peoples goes back to ancient times; the people of Burma cordially call the Chinese people "baobo" (meaning compatriots brothers). Sino-Burmese friendship between the two countries can be traced back to the Han Dynasty.[1] In this paper, the discussion on the bilateral relations is only from the founding of New China to the present. Mainly introduces the history of bilateral relations, the present status of Sino-Burmese relations and affection of the relations to China's future development.
ⅠThe history of relations between China and Burma
The development of contemporary relations between China and Burma has experienced of the three major stages:
1. The early establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Burma (1949 to the late 1960s)
Burma was the one of first countries to recognize the People's Republic of China, and Burma is one of the founders of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Burma is the first country signed a border treaty of friendship and mutual non-aggression treaty with China. In addition to interference of the late 1960s, both China and Burma have maintained good-neighborly, friendly, peaceful and cooperative relations.[2]
September 1949, the "Common Program of the CPPCC" was adopted by the Chinese People's Political Consultative made clear the new China's foreign policy and its principles. Principles stipulate that: "People's Republic of China's foreign policy principles commit to the protection of national independence, freedom and the integrity of territorial sovereignty, support for a lasting international peace and friendly cooperation of peoples from different countries, oppose policies of aggression and war policy of the imperialist." It announced that: “The foreign governments where to sever relations with the Kuomintang reactionaries, and the friendly attitude to the People's Republic of China, the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China can negotiate with them and establish the diplomatic relations on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and mutual respect for territorial sovereignty." "People's Republic of China can be the basis of equality and mutual benefit with various foreign governments and the people to restore and develop commercial trade relations" [1] (pp5-6). China's this foreign policy was suitable in Burma.
After the founding of New China, Burma carried out the policy toward China that is to recognize the new China and to develop the friendly relations with China. December 16, 1949, Burma Foreign Minister Meng Dian advise Premier Zhou Enlai by cable: Burma government "decided to recognize the People's Republic of China and look forward to the establishment of diplomatic relations and exchange of envoys" [2] (p120). The recommendations of Burma obtain the Chinese Government's positive response. After negotiations, June 8, 1950, China and Burma established diplomatic relations. During the Cold War, China and Burma both overcome the negative effects from the international situation of Cold War on bilateral relations and kept good-neighborly friendship, peace, cooperative relations between the two peoples, the "baobo" friendship developed rapidly. This is mainly manifested as: First, in June 1954, the two prime ministers from China and Burma issued a joint statement, regulated and advocate to promote relations between the two countries that bases on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence; Second, to settle friendly the problem of dual nationality of overseas Chinese residing in Burma; Third, the proper solution to the remnants of a defeated army of KMT fled to Burma; Fourth, on the basis of mutual understanding and mutual accommodation, solution the Sino-Burmese border problems fairly and reasonably, and signed "The friendship and mutual non-aggression treaty." January 1960, Burma Prime Minister Naiwen visited China, with Premier Zhou Enlai signed the "Sino-Burmese friendship and mutual non-aggression treaty" with Premier Zhou Enlai, in October, both China and Burma formally signed the "Sino-Burmese border treaty", "Sino-Burmese border Treaty is the example for the people of Asian countries friendly to each other, is the example that Asian countries to solve the border issue and other disputes "[3] (p290); Fifth, properly handle the relationship between China and Burma, political parties and political parties for removing the obstacles of the development of friendly relations. Since then, on the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence the two countries’ good-neighborly and friendly relations develop gradually and stability.
2, Sino-Burmese relations trough period (the late 1960s to the early 1970s)
During the Cold War, Sino-Burmese relations have experienced a short-term ups and downs, difficult period. This is mainly the late 1960s, "Cultural Revolution" and "Left" ideology interfere with Chinese foreign policy to promote export of revolution, openly support the struggle of the Communist Party of Burma [4] (p1203). Burma’s hesitation to China has increased, appeared anti-China and anti-Chinese tendency, bilateral relations deteriorated. In March 1969, Burma noted China that, after "The friendship and mutual non-aggression treaty" over in May 14, 1970, it would be terminated. Thus, Sino-Burmese relations fell to a low point. However, this situation does not last long, the early 1970s, both China and Burma from the national interests restore bilateral good-neighborly and friendly relations.
3, Sino-Burmese relations’ recovery period (the early 1970s to 1990s)
The late 1980s to the early 1990s, drastic changes in Eastern Europe, the collapse of the Soviet Union, the end of the Cold War, the international situation and framework have undergone major changes, while the internal situation in Burma has undergone tremendous changes. 1988, Burma happened a large-scale anti-government campaign. The military government "the State Law and Order Restoration Council" led by Saw Maung take over Burmese state power, the domestic situation is very complex. On the domestic situation in Burma, the Chinese government strictly complies with five principles of peaceful coexistence, non-interference in Burma's internal affairs, and respect for the Burma people's choice. Under the guidance of this policy, China and Burma maintain the normal association in various fields. The two countries keep high-level exchange of visits; the two sides continue to broaden areas of cooperation; the friendly relations between China and Burma have new development. Comrade Jiang Zemin pointed out: China and Burma have “has set a good example to live in peace and friendship between the neighboring countries” [5] (p1).
With the development of bilateral political relations, bilateral economic relations between China and Burma also has established and developed. This is mainly manifested as follows: First, the continuous development of bilateral trade. 1954 China and Burma signed a three-year trade agreement, since then, trade between the two countries has been developing steadily. The late 1970s, as China's reform and opening up, the Sino-Burmese relations and the development momentum of bilateral trade are better.
According to Chinese customs statistics . (http://www.customs.gov.cn/YWStaticPage/default.htm)
At the same time, the Sino-Burmese border trade is prosperity and active. Second, it strengthens economic and technological cooperation between China and Burma. In 1961, China and Burma have signed the "Sino-Burmese economic and technological cooperation agreement", China provide Burma 30 million pounds of interest-free loans and provide technology and equipment to help Burma build textile factories, hydroelectric power stations, bridges, etc. 10 projects. In 1979, China and Burma signed a new economic and technological cooperation agreement; China provided Burma an interest-free loan 63 million U.S. dollars, aid eight projects. In 1986 China provided an interest-free loan 317 million Yuan. 1993 China and Burma signed economic and technical agreements; China provides Burma an interest-free loan 50 million Yuan. In 1998 China provided Burma a loan 150 million U.S. dollars and helped Burma to overcome the impact of financial crisis. In recent years, China mainly provided Burma low-interest or interest-free loans, heavy machinery and complete sets of equipment. The construction projects of assistance were mainly building roads, bridges, hydroelectric power stations, satellite communications ground station, and have achieved remarkable economic and social benefits. About China's assistance, Chairman of Burma Law and Order Restoration Council Than Shwe said: "The Chinese Government and people have given us the impartial support and assistance." At the same time, the Sino-Burmese relations in the military, cultural, educational and other aspects connect closely and cooperate smoothly.
Ⅱ the status of relations between China and Burma
In the new century, both China and Burma continue to maintain and further consolidate and develop bilateral good-neighborly, friendly, peaceful and cooperative relations is necessary. From the Burma side, to further develop relations with China, first of all, is conducive to maintaining Burmese domestic stability. For a long time, the internal [...]
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