Myanmar’s military regime has established a high-level committee to fast-track Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure projects amid persistent pressure from Beijing. The committee includes Union ministers, senior officials, and state and regional chief ministers. Its mandate covers coordination and implementation of BRI-linked developments, particularly those under the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) and the China-Myanmar Border Economic Cooperation Zones.
Key CMEC projects include the Kyaukphyu Deep-Sea Port in Rakhine State and proposed rail links connecting Rakhine to Yunnan Province. Kyaukphyu remains central to China’s strategy to secure direct access to the Indian Ocean, complementing oil and gas pipelines already operating between the port and Yunnan. However, Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict has delayed project timelines and endangered Chinese personnel and investments, prompting Beijing to intensify diplomatic pressure and expand financial and technical assistance to the junta.
The committee’s creation follows recent battlefield gains by the military, aided partly by Chinese pressure on ethnic armed groups along key trade and project corridors. Junta forces have regained control of several towns in northern Shan State, including Lashio, Nawnghkio, Kyaukme, and Hsipaw, and are now pushing toward Mogoke in Mandalay Region.