Repositioning Yunnan: security and China's geoeconomic engagement with Myanmar. Issue 2 (3rd August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Su, Xiaobo
• Is Part Of: Area development and policy. Volume 1:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 178
• Page End: 194
• Publication Date: 2016-08-03
• Subjects: Geoeconomic repositioning -- security -- transnational agricultural investment -- oil and gas pipelines -- Myanmar -- China; 地缘经济定位，安全，跨国农业投资，油气管道，缅甸，云南; reposicionamiento geoeconómico -- seguridad -- inversión agrícola transnacional -- oleoductos y gasoductos -- Myanmar -- China; Геоэкономическое репозиционирование -- безопасность -- транснациональные инвестиции в сельское хозяйство -- нефте- и газопроводы -- Мьянма -- Китай; Regional planning -- BRIC countries -- Periodicals; Economic development -- BRIC countries -- Periodicals; Rural-urban relations -- BRIC countries -- Periodicals; Human geography -- BRIC countries -- Periodicals; Regional planning -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Economic development -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Rural-urban relations -- Periodicals; Human geography -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; 338.90091724
• DOI: 10.1080/23792949.2016.1197780
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2379-2949

Abstract

ABSTRACT: China's geoeconomic engagement with Myanmar derives from three Myanmar-related security concerns (social security along the Yunnan–Myanmar border, economic security for the global expansion of Chinese capital and energy security). To facilitate this engagement, Yunnan is repositioned as a strategic bridgehead. To understand this geoeconomic engagement, this paper examines two specific transnational projects: Yunnan's agricultural investment in northern Myanmar; and the Sino-Myanmar oil and gas pipelines. The construction of Yunnan as a bridgehead shows that the Chinese state incorporates economic rationale into geopolitical concern with Myanmar. Through Yunnan's geoeconomic repositioning, the Chinese state hopes to build a China-oriented transnational network of production and consumption which includes Yunnan and neighbouring countries.