Natural Gas Resources: Myanmar’s New Tool for Multilateral Diplomacy

　　ABSTRACT: Since its independence, Myanmar’s foreign diplomacy has been through a Cold War period of neutrality, a period of pro-China diplomacy from 1989 to 1992, and multilateral diplomacy following 1993. Entering the 21st century, Myanmar started to use its gas resources as a new means of advancing multilateral diplomacy, using gas to balancing China, India, Thailand and other neighboring countries as well as countries outside of the region like Russia. This has enabled it to maintain an independent foreign policy, and helped to a great extent in maintaining its national interests and strengthening its position vis-à-vis international political struggles. It has also had complex effects on the Myanmar policies of a number of states. The popularly elected government that took office in 2011 will inevitably continue to use this diplomatic tool to achieve a balance in its foreign relations and enhance its multilateral diplomacy.