Myanmar as an Important Pivot for China’s Indian Ocean Strategy : A Summary of the Conference on Oceanic Relations between Myanmar and China

The Indian Ocean has become ever more important following the rise of China because China needs to find a new pathway for trade and energy source, especially a safe path, thus the focus is cast in the Indian Ocean. The opening-up of Southwest China is opening toward the coastal regions of the Indian Ocean. The Frontier Strategy is the Indian Ocean Strategy for China. In order to set aside the 'Malacca Dilemma', a new pathway for trade and energy source must be found. With such a background, Myanmar has become prominent in the strategy as it is adjacent to Yunnan. It is extremely important to use the land connection between Yunnan and Myanmar to strengthen the relationship between China and the Indian Ocean regions to solve energy problems