''After meetings that took place in late November, between China’s National Development and Reform Commission deputy head Ning Jizhe and Myanmar’s State Councillor Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar has decided to proceed with developing the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC). This includes the development of all Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects such as the Kyaukpyu deep-water port, the Kyaukpyu-Kunming highspeed railway, special economic zones and natural gas pipelines. A CMEC implementation committee will now look to establish fast progress on all potential CMEC projects throughout the country. To aid this progression Beijing initiated peace talks with the Myanmar government and the Northern Alliance – groups that did not sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement. Since the talks took place earlier this month the Northern Alliance has agreed to cooperate in government peace efforts. This is significant as it is this political and security instability that has put the CMEC projects at risk in the China-Myanmar border region...''