Myanmar junta chief general Min Aung Hlaing insisted on implementing China's investmentproject Kyauk Phyu Special Economic Zone and Deep Sea Port as soon as possible.

The military council chairman highlighted about the special projects in  a meetingof  National EconomicCommittee, which was organized at Nay Pyi Daw  on 25 August.

General Min Aung Hlaing emphasized that Kyauk Phyu Special Economic Zone, Dawei Special Economic Zoneand  Thilawa Special Economic Zone willnot only help the country but also the neighboring countries in economic and development fronts.

During his visits to Rakhine this year, he talked about the implementation of all special economicprojects as early as possible.

Veteran Rakhine  politician U Pe Than criticized that the military council for its hurriednes  toimplement the special economic project, whichhe believes that China might have pressurized the Burmese government as Beijing has a lot ofinvestments including in gas and oilpipelines across the region.

"There are a lot of investments by China in Rakhine. Many projects have not been implemented yet. So theChinese government may put pressureon Nay Pyi Daw," he added.

U Pe Than  also believes that the development may also be related to military affairs.

"I heard that they designated the place where the junta’s submarines and some Chinese navy will dock nearthe deep sea port. So it may be relatedto military affairs," he asserted.

But before implementing the Kyauk Phyu project, the authority has to resolve land confiscation issues withthe local villagers. It has to takeresponsibility is the project causes environmental damages and
also affects the livelihood of locals.

In March, Myanmar Survey Research (MSR) company visited Maday island for five days for surveying  thedeep sea port constructions.

A man from Maday Kyung informed Narinjara News  thatthe MSR went to every housesbelonging to the villages namely Patheem, Wrama, Kyauk Tan and Pan Tain in Maday islandto gather public opinions.

In December 2015, a group of companies led by ChinaInternational TrustInvestment Cooperation (CITIC) won the tender to build Kyauk Phyu Special Economic Zone and Deep SeaPort.

Under the initiative, a port (2,500-meter long and 600-meter wide) will be built  on Maday island andanother (1,500-meter long and 600-meterwide) on Rambre island.

The ports will support large cargo ships like Mother Vessels, Carriers, and Supertankers above 1000feet to enter and exit.

Shwe Natural Gas produced from the Rakhine blocks are exported to China’s Kunming city through the gas and oil pipeline acrossMyanmar touching northern ShanState.

Local residents are worried about the loss of their livelihood because of the development projects.

The natural ecosystem along Than Zeik river in Kyauk Phyu township will be destroyed by the project.Moreover local fishermen will lose theirlivelihood due to the damages of  water fishing blocks.

Since the temporary ceasefire came to exist with the Arakan Army, the military council has taken initiativeto revive many stalled projects likeNapu Daung in Taung Kot township along with  Kyauk Phyu Special Economic Zone and Deep Sea Port inRakhine State.