The pipeline that links Myanmar and China began operation yesterday. This is another breakthrough in China's strategy of energy diversification and has obvious significance in reducing China's dependence on the Strait of Malacca for the import of oil and natural gas.

With Myanmar's political transformation, some observers doubt if this pipeline can work smoothly in the future. China has heavily invested in the Myitsone dam project and the Letpadaung copper mine project. Both have suffered setbacks, which dims Chinese enthusiasm for future investments. 

"Myanmar is moving away from China" has become a popular geopolitical point nowadays. Some Western analysts believe Myanmar has been successfully wooed by the US thanks to its "pivot to Asia." Some Japanese politicians are also ambitious in winning over Myanmar. All these make Chinese pessimistic toward China-Myanmar relations.

But this relationship is not broken-up. Myanmar's democratization process may lead to the changes of the country's opinions toward China. But such changes will not run wild due to ideological difference but will take Myanmar's national interests into consideration.

Myanmar used to be sanctioned by the West and China was its only friend. Nowadays, it has opened more to the West. This will reduce its passion in cooperating with China, but does not mean it will set itself against China.

The Myitsone dam project and the Letpadaung copper mine project have aroused concerns about land seizures and ecological issues. Such concerns could also be raised in China. The West has played a role in interfering in these projects through NGOs. This extra cost is something China has to bear when investing in Myanmar in the future.

The pipeline that links China and Myanmar has been put to use. It fits the common interests of the two countries. The benefits it will bring to Myanmar people will go beyond political infighting between different sects.

Projects such as the constructions of rail and highway links between Yunnan's border regions and the Indian Ocean can also be promoted.

Meanwhile, Chinese companies such as the China National Petroleum Corporation should be aware that their working conditions now are no longer as favorable as before Myanmar pushed forward democratization.

The China-Myanmar pipeline is backed by governmental agreements. No matter who leads Myanmar, the leadership should ensure the enforcement of these agreements.

China should be determined to supervise Myanmar in doing so. Myanmar should hold a serious attitude toward China, and Chinese will take Myanmese people's attitude toward the pipeline as a test of their stance on China.

All the complexities before and after the operation of the pipeline prove China's diplomacy is facing complicated circumstances and affects Chinese people's real interests. Diplomacy requires long-term and persistent efforts.