"China?s leaders are looking to convince us that their dreams of ?one belt, one road” can lead to a new wave of global prosperity. These initiatives are designed to enmesh partners from near and far in a Chinese-led network of investment and economic growth. The Silk Road Economic Belt runs straight out into Central Asia from China?s metropolises. With new train routes, roads and tunnels, it will offer the economic juggernaut better access to a sprawling Eurasian backyard and the lucrative European market beyond. The Maritime Silk Road will latch on to the Bay of Bengal ? and therefore Myanmar ? as it snakes its way right around to the Mediterranean. It is supposed to secure energy supply chains and access to new markets across southern Asia, the Middle East and Africa. It is an oversized plan meant to fill the appetites of the world?s most populous country. With all those growing bellies being fed, it will need to be a big belt and an enormous road — one that will encircle and possible entwine Myanmar, joining an estimated 2 million Chinese citizens and former citizens who already call the country home. Across Shan and Kachin states, and right down into central Myanmar, these ethnic Chinese enjoy a dominant commercial status. In certain corners of the country, in places like Mong La and Laiza, Chinese-language skills are essential for business. The fact is that Chinese investors bring technical and financial muscle that is rarely found on the Myanmar side of the border. The headline investments ? like the off-shore oil and gas fields in Rakhine State, the postponed Myitsone hydroelectric dam in Kachin State and the contentious Letpadaung copper mine in Sagaing Region ? tend to get the attention, but these are only the start..."