Threats And Challenges To China- Myanmar Energy Corridor (CMEC)

Abstract

Strait of Malacca connects Indian and Pacific Oceans is world’s busiest trade route. China’s surpassing US $ 17 trillion Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 8.1 percent GDP growth rate can be seriously hampered if enemy blocks it. Alternative routes Makassar Straits and Lombok Straits are inappropriate because they would increase shipping costs from United States (US) $ 84 billion per year to US $ 220 billion per year. Potential alternative the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) backfired. Beijing views it Achillis Heel of China’s Energy and Economic Security. This paper endeavors to assess threats posed to alternative routes explored by Beijing particularly CMEC to ensure its energy and economic securities. Paper concludes CMEC is not viable option due to political instability, potential for hostile agencies to launch proxies or to infiltrate East-Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) insurgents, rising insurgency and growing abhorrence for China. Paper concludes insurgency hit Myanmar can become graveyard for Chinese businesses and investment. Inevitably, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viable available option for Beijing to achieve multilateral objectives. Beijing’s geo-economic and geo-strategic goals include to reduce dependence on “Malacca Strait,” ensure Chinese economic and energy security.