Vassal states and core national interests: Rethinking china's relationships with North Korea and Myanmar

Abstract

China's calculated silence over the sinking of the ROKS Cheonan in March 2010 caused international uneasiness as North Korea appeared to get away with its latest military provocation. However, it is China's other vassal, Myanmar,that has pushed Beijing's restraint to the limit. Revelations of secret underground bunkers and covert Scud missile development have raised questions about whether China's clientism has backfired. © RUSI JOURNAL.