News Brief
Myanmar: Chinese Influence Expands As PetroChina Acquires 119 Fuel Stations Near India Border, Raising Security Concerns
Nayan Dwivedi
Nov 20, 2023, 05:53 PM | Updated 05:52 PM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
In a development raising security concerns for India in its eastern neighbourhood, China's state-owned petroleum giant, PetroChina, has taken control of numerous petrol and diesel stations in close proximity to the Myanmar-India border.
The company has acquired 119 retail fuel stations in Myanmar, with indications suggesting a potential acquisition of another 53.
Most notably, over 50 of these fuel stations were previously owned by a Singapore-based firm.
A significant portion of the acquired pumps lies in proximity to the India-Myanmar border and along the Trilateral Asia Highway, according to reports by The Economic Times.
China has been a key investor in Myanmar, prioritising projects in mines, oil and gas pipelines, and infrastructure, aiming to secure access to the Indian Ocean.
Earlier this year, an energy project funded by China in Myanmar faced an attack by anti-junta rebels shortly after a visit by the Chinese foreign minister.
The Natogyi Guerrilla Force, a local resistance group, targeted China-backed oil and gas pipelines in Myanmar's Mandalay region.
These pipelines, spanning 973 km from Myanmar's Rakhine coast to southern China, have been operational since 2013.
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Nayan Dwivedi is Staff Writer at Swarajya.
Introducing ElectionsHQ + 50 Ground Reports Project
The 2024 elections might seem easy to guess, but there are some important questions that shouldn't be missed.
Do freebies still sway voters? Do people prioritise infrastructure when voting? How will Punjab vote?
The answers to these questions provide great insights into where we, as a country, are headed in the years to come.
Swarajya is starting a project with an aim to do 50 solid ground stories and a smart commentary service on WhatsApp, a one-of-a-kind. We'd love your support during this election season.
Click below to contribute.