Is Myanmar detaching itself from China? The question has made Western headlines recently. Reports hint that Myanmar is moving closer to the West.
These are misinterpreting the changes in Asia. China is clear that the dependence of Myanmar on China will not last forever. North Korea may make a similar adjustment one day. Both are independent entities, balancing their diplomatic relationships based on their own needs.
It might be reading too much into it to label this adjustment a Western diplomatic victory. Myanmar is not switching sides. No Asian nation is willing to be a pawn in the China-US competition. The shrinking power gap between China and the US represents an opportunity for Asian countries to maximize their interests.
It is a natural choice. Myanmar's hand was forced by Western sanctions. For the West to see North Korea untying itself from China, it just needs to end sanctions on Pyongyang.
Except for an extreme scenario of China and US having a military clash, Asian countries will not pick sides. Independent diplomacy is active in the region. Even with US military presence on their soil, neither South Korea nor Japan will bow to every requirement by Washington.
China is not interested in reinstalling the tributary system in Asia. Simply put, the system was to ensure the Middle Kingdom was not harassed by neighboring small states. China gave out more than it received through this system.
This philosophy remains the same today. China hopes its surrounding areas stay uneventful to ensure its development. At least for now, China has no ambitions or policies to reshuffle the Asian order.
But the US' "return to Asia" policy has prompted China to rethink competition in the Asian region. China's aim is to win more trust from neighboring countries and avoiding for them to become US associates against China. Between China and the US, neither side can convince Asian countries to seal alliances. Neither China nor the US has this in mind.
The repositioning of Asian countries will continue. For the moment, China is not able to provide a set value and interest system to govern this transitional period. These can only gradually appear with China's continuous development. But there is no reason to be pessimistic. China enjoys prestige in organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Western values are faced with suspicion in Asia.
The diversity of Asia is beyond a simple division of pro-China or pro-US camps.