Myanmar, U.S.: Re-engagement and the Chinese Reaction

The U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs arrived in Yangon on Nov. 4, a day after meeting with members of the government of Myanmar on Nov. 3 in the highest-level U.S. visit to the Southeast Asian country in years. The same day, the China National Petroleum Corp. announced it had begun construction on an oil pipeline that runs from the port on Maday Island through Myanmar to China. Construction on a parallel natural gas pipeline is expected to start before year's end. As Washington embarks on its new engagement policy with Myanmar, China may grow wary, as Myanmar is a key element in China's future energy security.