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Analysis

Burma: Democratic Awakening Stirs China’s Pot
Aung San Suu Kyi, the Pulitzer Prize-winning peace activist, leaves the election commission office after registering to run in the upcoming parliamentary elections on January 18. Suu Kyi’s release from house arrest and re-appearance on the political scene is a sign of significant change in Burma, which has been under a military dictatorship since 1962. (Soe Than WIN/AFP/Getty Images)
January 27, 2012
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| Asia and the Pacific
Summary
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Burma’s release of 700 political prisoners has set the country on a course of reform that could soon lead to the removal of international sanctions that have been in place for more than 20 years. But as Burma begins to re-enter the embrace of the international community, China has reason for worry. Burma is China’s connection to India, and Southeast Asia. It is also key to China’s quest for something more valuable than gold.The European Union and the United States have said if upcoming parliamentary elections in Burma are found to be “free and fair,” they’ll reward the country by ending sanctions that target about a thousand companies. This is expected to open up Burma, formally called the Republic of Myanmar, to American and European investment, which could be seen as a direct challenge to China. China, Hong Kong and Thailand make up more than 70 percent of total investment in Burma.
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