This study investigates the relationship between news media and public opinion on Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects in Myanmar since media liberalization in 2011, using first-level agenda-setting theory. A mixed-method approach was employed: a quantitative content analysis of 217 articles from ELEVEN and The Irrawaddy, identifying 1436 distinct frames on ten BRI-related issues, and a survey of 385 respondents to assess public opinion. Spearman’s rank-order correlation analysis was used to examine the relationship between media coverage and public opinion. A strong positive correlation (rho = 0.87, p < 0.05) was found between increased media coverage and public opinion alignment regarding BRI-related issues. The findings highlight the significant influence of the media on the public perception of BRI projects in Myanmar, and contribute to media effects and agenda-setting theory, offering insights for stakeholders investigating the interplay between the media, public opinion, and international development. Further research is needed to explore the media’s agenda-setting role in BRI project policy decisions in Myanmar.

This study investigates the impact of the media’s secondary agenda-setting on public perception and policy priorities regarding the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects in Myanmar from to 2011–2024. Three hypotheses (Hs) were examined: H1 posits that media coverage aligns with public and policy perspectives; H2 proposes that media emphasis on specific attributes influences their prominence in public opinion and policymaking; and H3 suggests that public opinion mediates the relationship between media coverage and policy priorities, indicating an indirect media influence on policymaking. This study employed a cross-sectional research design, utilizing both quantitative content analysis and survey methodologies. The content comprises the analysis of two news outlets’ coverage (n = 144), surveys with 385 respondents (n = 385), and in-depth interviews with 30 participants (n = 30), and the findings revealed a significant positive correlation between media coverage and public opinion and policy priorities (r = 0.86, r = 0.81, respectively). SEM path analysis reveals that the media agenda indirectly shapes the policy agenda through the public agenda, with an indirect effect path coefficient of 0.718, highlighting the media’s role in policymaking processes. This is evidenced by a significant correlation between media coverage and public opinion (p < 0.05), and a strong direct association between public opinion and policy priorities (p < 0.05). This study extends the agenda-setting theory by empirically demonstrating the media’s indirect effect on policy formation in global infrastructure projects within a developing Southeast Asian country. Future studies should examine the evolution of media patterns across different administrations, including the current one. The results also suggest examining the broader media portrayal of governance issues and conducting extensive research on the media’s impact on public opinion.

This study examines the potentials and implications of the Kyaukphyu Seaport Project, addressing the research question: "What are the potential strategic significances of the Kyaukphyu seaport project and how will it impact the region and beyond?" This study employs qualitative research that combines comparative case analysis with in-depth interviews. Using four theories–geoeconomics, infrastructure development, sustainability, environmental justice, and governance–as a framework, this study focused on eight key aspects: regional connectivity, geopolitical impact, economic impact, infrastructure development, environmental concerns, social impact, political instability, and debt risk. A comparative analysis of Sri Lankan ports, Colombo and Hambantota, was conducted, along with in-depth interviews of fifteen stakeholders ( n =15) concerning the Kyaukphyu seaport project. The findings highlight the strategic importance of enhancing regional connectivity and economic development in Myanmar while acknowledging environmental and geopolitical challenges. The study recommends effective coordination among the Myanmar government, Chinese investors, and communities for successful implementation, adherence to national guidelines, and strategic environmental assessment (SEA).   Keywords: Kyaukphu, Colombo, Hambantota, Seaport, strategic significance, potentials, Implications

This research conducts a comparative content analysis of two leading English-language newspapers, The Kathmandu Post and Rising Nepal, to examine the media framing of China’s cultural and educational diplomacy in Nepal. This study employs a frame analysis methodology alongside a qualitative content analysis approach to systematically examine thirty news items published from 2021 to early 2025. Key themes were coded and examined based on frequency and contextual framing, including cultural interaction, Chinese language promotion, Confucius Institute coverage, education diplomacy, and geopolitical alignment. Rising Nepal demonstrates a clear state-centric editorial stance, frequently articulating a supportive tone that emphasizes bilateral collaboration, strategic partnership, and mutual growth, thereby highlighting a significant contrast in representational patterns. This research argues that these contrasting frames signify underlying ideological and geopolitical affiliations, rather than merely editorial choices. This research contributes to the expanding body of literature on soft power, media and culture diplomacy, and the geopolitics of influence in South Asia by integrating media framing theory with qualitative analysis.

This study examines the significant characteristics and potential implications of the Kyaukphyu Seaport project, addressing the following research question of the study: ‘What are the significant characteristics and potential implications of the Kyaukphyu Seaport project and how will it impact the region and beyond?’ This study employs qualitative research that combines a comparative case analysis with in-depth interviews. Using four theories—geoeconomics, infrastructure-led development, environmental justice, and collaborative governance—as an integrated framework, this study focuses on eight key aspects: regional connectivity, geopolitical impact, economic impact, infrastructure development, environmental concerns, social impact, political instability, and debt risk. A comparative analysis of three seaports: Kyaukphyu, Colombo, and Hambantota, with 12 selected articles ( n = 12), was conducted, along with in-depth interviews with 15 stakeholders ( n = 15) concerning the Kyaukphyu Seaport Project. The findings highlight the strategic importance of the Kyaukphyu Seaport in enhancing regional connectivity and promoting economic development in Myanmar and other countries in the region. Nevertheless, the findings also recognise geopolitical challenges, domestic political conflicts, the necessity for socio-environmental impact assessments, proper financial management, coordination with local communities, and effective media management to address narratives surrounding projects led by Chinese enterprises. This study recommends effective coordination among the Myanmar government, Chinese investors, and communities to ensure successful implementation and adherence to the national development framework.

Previous studies have investigated media influence on public opinion regarding BRI projects in Myanmar but have not clarified whether domestic or international news media exert more influence. This study examines how the domestic and international news media set agendas for BRI projects in Myanmar. Two domestic news media outlets (ELEVEN and The Irrawaddy) with 217 articles (n = 217) yielded 1436 attributes, whereas two international news outlets (Radio Free Asia and Voice of America) with 144 articles (n = 144) produced 1236 attributes. An online survey of 3000 Myanmar residents (n = 3000) was conducted to identify their public agendas. The independent t-test showed that domestic and international media emphasise BRI-related issues differently, while Spearman’s rho indicates that international news media exhibit a stronger correlation with public opinion, suggesting greater influence. The findings revealed that international media focuses on ‘strategic interests’, whereas domestic media emphasises ‘economic development’ from BRI implementation. The findings suggest that the Myanmar government and Chinese investors should focus on specific BRI project issues, including strategic interests, local concerns, economic development, lack of transparency, and lack of coordination when responding to media narratives.