International Responses to Myanmar's Transformation

The transformation of Myanmar marks perhaps one of the least predicted international developments in the past twenty years. The new government that came into power in 2011 introduced sweeping political and economic reforms. The international responses to Myanmar’s reforms have been largely positive and in many instances enthusiastic. Western governments acknowledged and supported the reforms by easing or lifting sanctions on Myanmar. The change in Western policy about Myanmar also opened doors for expanded trade and investment opportunities with the rest of the world. Myanmar’s reemergence on the international stage has led to varied responses from Asian countries, among which China and Japan play major roles.