China-Myanmar Pipeline Starts Operation

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In The Media

Carnegie China

China-Myanmar Pipeline Starts Operation

Development of the China-Myanmar gas pipeline holds significant implications for Myanmar’s reintegration into the international community and for China’s energy security.

By Wang Tao

Published on Jul 30, 2013

Source: CCTV

Speaking to CCTV, Carnegie-Tsinghua’s Wang Tao explained the political details behind the production sharing agreement signed between China, Myanmar, South Korea, and India that has produced the China-Myanmar Pipeline. Wang noted that China’s engagement with foreign multinationals during production of the pipeline, which will funnel an annual two million tons of crude oil to Myanmar, likely helped the project move forward and gain security.

Despite fears that China may be losing its historical competitive advantage in development projects in Myanmar, Wang indicated that Chinese cooperation with international oil companies and multinationals can help reduce project risk in sensitive areas. He added that such cooperation may also grant Chinese companies "unique knowledge or techniques" for dealing with local communities and it will assist Myanmar in reintegrating into the international community. Wang stated that Chinese aid to local communities in Myanmar during production of the pipeline was necessary, and that Chinese companies operating abroad should seek to be transparent and engage with local communities.

About the Author

Wang Tao

Former Nonresident Scholar, Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy

Wang Tao was a nonresident scholar in the Energy and Climate Program based at the Carnegie–Tsinghua Center for Global Policy.

Recent Work

Article
Xi’s Global Leadership Ambitions in the Trump Era
- Wang Tao
In The Media
How the Paris Conference Is Driving China’s Gas and Oil Reforms
- Wang Tao, Yang Yifang

Climate Change Foreign Policy East Asia China Southeast Asia

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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