Myanmar junta advances Rakhine seaport amid ongoing conflict
Tribune Desk,Dhaka, Bangladesh
Publish: 20 Jan 2024, 10:55 PM
Myanmar junta officials convened in Naypyitaw on Wednesdayto discuss plans for the construction of vital infrastructure related to amassive China-backed seaport in Kyaukphyu Township, Rakhine State.
This meeting follows the recent signing of an addendum tothe concession agreement for the deep seaport project, a crucial component ofthe 1,700-kilometer China-Myanmar Economic Corridor connecting Kunming inYunnan province to the Indian Ocean, The Irrawaddy reported.
The seaport and special economic zone (SEZ) is a jointventure between China and Myanmar and the junta-backed Kyaukphyu SEZ ManagementCommittee.
A China-brokered ceasefire between the military regime andthe Brotherhood Alliance, which includes the Arakan Army, Myanmar NationalDemocratic Alliance Army, and Ta’ang National Liberation Army, has stipulatedthe protection of Chinese investments and the safety of Chinese citizens inMyanmar.
Aung Naing Oo, the chairman of Myanmar Special Economic ZoneCentral Working Committee and a minister in the regime’s governing body,emphasized the need for closer coordination between ministries to ensure timelycompletion of tasks.
He expressed optimism during a press briefing last month,envisioning the Kyaukphyu port and SEZ as a pivotal hub connecting marketsacross Asia, Africa, and Europe, fostering socio-economic development inMyanmar and the broader region.
The recent developments are unfolding against the backdropof ongoing conflicts, with the Arakan Army engaging the regime forces inRakhine State.
Despite the regime’s imposition of a blockade andindiscriminate air and artillery strikes on civilians, the Arakan Army has madeterritorial gains, capturing Paletwa Township in Chin State and defeating juntabattalions in northern Rakhine.
The ongoing conflict in Ramree Township, borderingKyaukphyu, poses challenges to the continuity of the ambitious seaport project,according to business analysts.
As Myanmar navigates through political complexities andmilitary engagements, the fate of the China-backed Kyaukphyu seaport projectremains uncertain, contingent on the delicate balance between militaryactivities and economic aspirations.
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