On December 5th, 2023, the 65th session of the Youth Academic Workshop on International Studies of Fudan University (YAWIS Fudan) convened at the Center for Japanese Studies of Fudan University. The focus of this session was “Between Engagement and Sanction: The Relationship of U.S. - M.M for the Formation of Myanmar's Political Development Path.”

(Dr. Chen presented his research on “The Relationship of U.S. - M.M for the Formation of Myanmar's Political Development Path”)

 Dr. Chen Yu, associate research fellow at the Center for China’s Relations with Neighboring Countries of Fudan University (CCRNC Fudan), served as the keynote speaker. Professor Qi Huaigao, Vice Dean of the Institute of International Studies of Fudan University (IIS Fudan), moderated the session. Professor Zhao Weihua, director of CCRNC Fudan, and Professor Bao Gangsheng from the School of International Relations and Public Affairs of Fudan University (SIRPA Fudan), provided commentary. This event attracted over 20 faculty and students from Fudan University to join the meeting.

((The 65th YAWIS Fudan))

 Dr. Chen began by presenting a video introducing Myanmar's national conditions. He provided background on his research topic, "The Formation of Myanmar's Political Development Path," and outlined its basic design. Chen Yu argued that Myanmar's political transformation since 1988 represents a unique path, rather than a straightforward democratic transition.  

 Dr. Chen introduced the theoretical framework of "Imbalanced External Relations and the Political Development Path for Developing Countries." This theoretical explanation framework is embodied as follows: (1) The definition of basic concepts, such as hybrid government; (2) The basic path and logic of external relations affecting the formation of political systems; (3) The typing strategies of external relations affecting the formation of political systems; and (4) An operational explanation of the influence from external relations on the formation strategies of the political system. Based on this theoretical framework, Dr. Chen delved into the U.S.'s influence on Myanmar's political development path since 1988, emphasizing the process of building a "Disciplined Democracy" since 1993. Under the concept of "Disciplined Democracy", the U.S. has deployed engagement and sanctions to induce democratic transition in Myanmar.  

 Dr. Chen concluded that Myanmar is currently in a "long period" of experimenting with "disciplined democracy," facing a challenging and distinctive political development path.  

(Comments by Prof. Zhao Weihua)

(Comments by Prof. Bao Gangsheng)

Following Dr. Chen’s speech, Professor Zhao Weihua and Professor Bao Gangsheng provided insightful comments on Myanmar's political development path and the political modernization of developing countries . Assoc. Prof. Tu Yichao, Assoc. Prof. Ma Bin and Assis. Prof. Wen Yao proposed constructive suggestions for further research.

(The group photo of the 57th YAWIS Fudan)

 Dr. Chen Yu received his Ph.D. in political science from Sun Yat-sen University in June 2020. From July 2020 to March 2023, he served as a Post-Doctoral Fellow in political science at Fudan University. Since May 2023, he has been working at the IIS Fudan. His research interests focus on Myanmar Studies, East Asian Studies, and International Political Science. In recent years, he has independently published several academic papers in Chinese journal such as Contemporary Asia-Pacific, South Asian Studies and Northeast Asia Studies. Additionally, he has chaired several research projects, including the Shanghai Philosophy and Social Sciences Youth Project Fund.