Following a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar that claimed over 2,800 lives, international rescuers swiftly arrived to assist the affected Southeast Asian nation. Notably present among the relief efforts are Chinese rescue workers, easily recognizable by their blue and orange uniforms featured in numerous social media videos. Grateful expressions towards Beijing have been abundant, as Chinese, Indian, and Russian rescuers tirelessly extract survivors and casualties from the wreckage of buildings such as hotels, schools, and monasteries.
This positive response towards China in Myanmar marks a stark contrast to the usual negative sentiment due to China’s support for the unpopular military regime. China has pledged 100 million yuan ($13.76 million) in aid, with the first batch of supplies already delivered to Yangon, including essentials like tents, blankets, and first aid kits. In comparison, the United States, traditionally a prominent humanitarian donor, has offered a relatively modest $2 million in aid. Despite plans to send an assessment team, delays in obtaining visas from the military government have hindered the US response.
The absence of swift US support highlights the impact of President Donald Trump’s efforts to reduce government spending, affecting the country’s ability to respond effectively to disasters. Funding cuts and layoffs within agencies like the US Agency for International Development (USAID) have significantly hampered disaster response capabilities. Former USAID official Marcia Wong noted that a fully operational USAID could have deployed urban search-and-rescue teams to Myanmar within 48 hours. However, staffing reductions and contract terminations have left a void that other countries, like China, have filled.
Former US ambassador to Myanmar Scot Marciel expressed disappointment over the delayed and inadequate US response, attributing it to the budget cuts. While acknowledging potential restrictions from the Myanmar regime, Marciel believed that a more robust US intervention was feasible. The State Department, responsible for the remaining USAID functions, did not respond to requests for comment. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the cuts, emphasizing the need to prioritize programs beneficial to US interests.
As the US withdrew support and terminated USAID personnel, China swiftly mobilized relief teams and aid resources to Myanmar. This proactive approach by China underscores the shifting landscape of global humanitarian assistance amid changing priorities and resource allocations.
Rescue teams have been prominent symbols of official aid in areas like Mandalay and Sagaing, where residents reported receiving little to no assistance from the military. India’s foreign ministry announced that 625 tons of aid had been delivered, along with the recovery of 16 bodies and treatment of 104 patients in Mandalay. Both Russia and India have established mobile hospitals to provide support.
China has utilized its state media to showcase its relief efforts, with CGTN providing on-camera reports from Mandalay, the disaster’s epicenter. Xinhua, the state-run news agency, has extensively covered China’s relief operations. Some rescue teams entered Myanmar from China’s Yunnan province, traveling through rebel-controlled areas with complex ties to Beijing and the junta.
Analysts, like Sai Tun Aung Lwin, view Beijing’s decision to dispatch rescuers by road and air as a demonstration of its influence over both rebels and the junta. China’s creation of a “humanitarian corridor” through rebel and junta territories has reportedly reduced anti-China sentiment on social media.
The junta reported firing warning shots at a Chinese Red Cross convoy for traveling without permission through conflict zones to Mandalay. Myanmar’s strategic location between China and India has significant geopolitical implications, with Washington also having historical ties to the nation before the military takeover in 2021.
Despite the junta’s crackdown on dissent and the escalation of civil conflict, China continues to support the regime as a stabilizing force. However, many within the opposition view China negatively for its backing of the military. The National Unity Government of Myanmar expressed deep gratitude to international rescue teams for their timely assistance.
Washington’s influence in Myanmar, particularly among anti-junta factions, has been maintained through humanitarian aid and support for democracy efforts. However, recent cuts to USAID and State Department programs have significantly reduced American involvement in the region. The extent of U.S. influence in Myanmar is crucial for garnering international support and addressing national interests, including countering Chinese influence.
