Certain sections in Dhaka are questioning the feasibility of the proposed China-Myanmar-Bangladesh Economic Corridor (CMBC). China’s involvement in infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative in the region has faced mixed progress, leading to credibility issues due to unfulfilled promises and local resistance.
The CMBC project has sparked debate, with concerns raised by a recent article in Bangladesh’s The Daily Star newspaper. The article highlighted Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman’s statement that Bangladesh was currently examining the proposal and had taken no position on it.
According to the article, the core challenge lies in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, where effective control has been lost by the junta. Overland connectivity through Myanmar is seen as conditional on the restoration of peace and stability in Rakhine State.
While acknowledging the CMBC’s potential long-term significance, the article emphasized that current prospects are more influenced by realities within Myanmar. The Arakan Army’s control in Rakhine State and the region’s instability pose significant challenges to the corridor’s development.
China’s proposal to connect Myanmar’s Rakhine State to Bangladesh’s regions through road and railway networks faces obstacles due to the region’s lack of effective control by Myanmar’s military government. The operational risks and security concerns have cast doubt on the corridor’s operationalization in the near future.
The CMBC’s linkage to the Rohingya crisis further complicates the situation, with Dhaka viewing the corridor as politically and diplomatically sensitive. The safe return of Rohingya refugees is a key consideration for Bangladesh in the context of regional connectivity developments.
China’s strategic interests in Myanmar, Afghanistan, and other regions reflect a broader agenda beyond economic expansion. The geopolitical implications of China’s investments in various countries underscore its multifaceted approach to regional influence and security considerations.
