MYITKYINA, Myanmar: The streets of Myanmars capital Naypyitaw were festooned with banners celebrating 70 years of Myanmar-China relations ahead of the arrival of President Xi Jinping on Friday (Jan 17) for his first visit to the Southeast Asian nation as China's leader.
But for thousands of villagers living in northern Myanmar, close to the Chinese border, there is another anniversary that no-one can celebrate. It is 10 years since they were kicked off their land for a US$3.6 billion dam, an unfinished project backed by Beijing that dogs relations between the two neighbours.
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The Myitsone hydropower dam in Kachin state is one many multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects that form part of Xis flagship Belt and Road Initiative. The Chinese leader intends to discuss his grand plan for what has been described as a “21st century silk road” during his two-day visit to Myanmar.
Construction of the dam was suspended in 2011 after a public outcry over evictions and expected environmental damage, which included the flooding of an area the size of Singapore, but villagers have not been allowed to return home, and Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi has indicated it could still move ahead.
“The major losses were the farmlands,” said Reverend Tu Hkawng, a member of the ethnic Kachin minority, who are mostly Christian, adding that residents had been moved into sub-standard housing provided by China and many had been forced to look for work across the border.
“I would say our social structure was destroyed,” he said. “We used to help and care for each other. Such things are gone.”
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An open letter from dozens of Kachin civil society groups published a day ahead of Xis arrival called on the Chinese leader to permanently scrap the project and said broader Chinese investment in the region, including massive banana plantations, had had a “broad social and environmental impact including land problems and threats to nature and historical sites.”
Chinese investment has “disrespected local traditions and values and failed to consult local people”, it said.
Xi is scheduled to meet state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and army chief Min Aung Hlaing in the capital Naypyitaw, as well as the heads of minor political parties.
Protesters plan to gather outside the Chinese embassy in Yangon on Saturday to oppose the “exploitation of natural resources” in Myanmar, including the Myitsone project.
Aung Soe Myint, an activist opposed to the dam, said Aug San Suu Kyi should beware of what China offers, or risk being punished at a general election expected in November.
“If Aung San Suu Kyi agrees to it, it would be political suicide,” said Aung Soe Myint.
UNCRITICAL RELATIONS
Myanmar has had a historically fraught relationship with China, with many people suspicious of Beijing's clout in its smaller neighbour. But relations warmed after China avoided joining the international condemnation of Myanmar over the expulsion of ethnic Rohingya Muslims in 2017.
More than 730,000 Rohingya were forced to flee western Myanmar after a military crackdown the UN has said was executed with “genocidal intent”, though the government maintains it was a legitimate counter-insurgency operation launched in response to militant attacks on security forces.
Workers put up flags a day before Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Myanmar in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Jan 16, 2020. . (Photo: Reuters/Ann Wang)
China has defended Myanmar on the global stage andRead More – Source
MYITKYINA, Myanmar: The streets of Myanmars capital Naypyitaw were festooned with banners celebrating 70 years of Myanmar-China relations ahead of the arrival of President Xi Jinping on Friday (Jan 17) for his first visit to the Southeast Asian nation as China's leader.
But for thousands of villagers living in northern Myanmar, close to the Chinese border, there is another anniversary that no-one can celebrate. It is 10 years since they were kicked off their land for a US$3.6 billion dam, an unfinished project backed by Beijing that dogs relations between the two neighbours.
Advertisement
Advertisement
The Myitsone hydropower dam in Kachin state is one many multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects that form part of Xis flagship Belt and Road Initiative. The Chinese leader intends to discuss his grand plan for what has been described as a “21st century silk road” during his two-day visit to Myanmar.
Construction of the dam was suspended in 2011 after a public outcry over evictions and expected environmental damage, which included the flooding of an area the size of Singapore, but villagers have not been allowed to return home, and Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi has indicated it could still move ahead.
“The major losses were the farmlands,” said Reverend Tu Hkawng, a member of the ethnic Kachin minority, who are mostly Christian, adding that residents had been moved into sub-standard housing provided by China and many had been forced to look for work across the border.
“I would say our social structure was destroyed,” he said. “We used to help and care for each other. Such things are gone.”
Advertisement
Advertisement
An open letter from dozens of Kachin civil society groups published a day ahead of Xis arrival called on the Chinese leader to permanently scrap the project and said broader Chinese investment in the region, including massive banana plantations, had had a “broad social and environmental impact including land problems and threats to nature and historical sites.”
Chinese investment has “disrespected local traditions and values and failed to consult local people”, it said.
Xi is scheduled to meet state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and army chief Min Aung Hlaing in the capital Naypyitaw, as well as the heads of minor political parties.
Protesters plan to gather outside the Chinese embassy in Yangon on Saturday to oppose the “exploitation of natural resources” in Myanmar, including the Myitsone project.
Aung Soe Myint, an activist opposed to the dam, said Aug San Suu Kyi should beware of what China offers, or risk being punished at a general election expected in November.
“If Aung San Suu Kyi agrees to it, it would be political suicide,” said Aung Soe Myint.
UNCRITICAL RELATIONS
Myanmar has had a historically fraught relationship with China, with many people suspicious of Beijing's clout in its smaller neighbour. But relations warmed after China avoided joining the international condemnation of Myanmar over the expulsion of ethnic Rohingya Muslims in 2017.
More than 730,000 Rohingya were forced to flee western Myanmar after a military crackdown the UN has said was executed with “genocidal intent”, though the government maintains it was a legitimate counter-insurgency operation launched in response to militant attacks on security forces.
Workers put up flags a day before Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Myanmar in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Jan 16, 2020. . (Photo: Reuters/Ann Wang)
China has defended Myanmar on the global stage andRead More – Source
