Chen Beiqi (Ms)

Proposed Thesis Title: Historicising Myanmar Leadership through Pauk-Phaw Relations from 1957-2016
Advisor: Associate Professor Maitrii Victoriano Aung Thwin

History has always been my favourite subject in school, and studying History at NUS has provided me with numerous opportunities to explore my research interests in Southeast Asian history. I revel in archival research, and have been intrigued by the differing narratives of Myanmar leadership present in the Chinese and English scholarship. My undergraduate thesis explores how Chinese newspapers and scholarship discussed Aung San Suu Kyi, contrasting that to the dominant Western narratives painting her as a democratic icon since 1988.

After graduating with a B.A. Honours (Highest Distinction), I am grateful for the opportunity to return to the department for further training in my M.A., with the support of the generous Research Scholarship. I hope to extend the research I began in my undergraduate thesis and explore Sino-Burmese relations from 1957 to 2016 in graduate school. To that end, I am also continuing to hone my skills in the Burmese language.

In my free time, I indulge in desserts, enjoying quality time with my pet dog, and indie movies.