Myanmar's Careful Opening

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is on a three-day visit to Myanmar. The official purpose of her visit is to investigate the intentions of Myanmar's new government, which has made several moves indicating a willingness to reform and eventually do business with the international community. However, Clinton's trip has geopolitical significance, representing a major step in the United States' re-engagement in Asia and furthering Washington's plan to counterbalance China's regional strategy. China, meanwhile, considers Myanmar's opening a threat to its position in the strategically important country.