Agroup of Chinese nationals recently conducted the land survey in Rakhine Statefor the Kyauk Phyu-Mandalay section of the railway project that would connectKunming city of China’s Yunnan province.

Theland measurements were conducted in three village-tracks under Ann township on7 and 8 October, said a local village leader.

“The Chinese nationals accompanied by policemen came to our village toconduct the land survey for the railway project,” he added.

Thesurvey team came to Sane, Mwar and  Tan Tin village tracks for takingground measurements when 10 policemen accompanied them. Altogether threeChinese nationals were in the team. They also measured with theGPS.  

AMusi-Mandalay railway track is also on the card, which will connect Kyauk Phyuwhich supports a number of Chinese projects includingoil & gas projects, new initiatives in the special economic zone and alsothe deep sea port.

Juntahead general Min Aung Hlaing stated that the construction of Kyauk Phyu-deep sea port- Mandalay railway track is underway. Oncethe construction is completed, the flow of goods will increase, asserted themilitary council chief at a meeting of the economic committee on 25 August.

Heexpressed hope that the projects will contribute to the development of Myanmar.

Theland measurements for the railway project followed the initiative by theBeijing administration.

Ayoung environmental activist from Ann township informed Narinjara News thatChina's investment projects in Rakhine State, including the railway track, arebeing implemented ignoring the rights (and benefits) of locals.

"Theyhave implemented some projects including the oil & gas pipelines in thepast. Under the China-Myanmar oil and natural gas projects, the resources aretaken from Rakhine State, but it has not benefited the indigenous population.In contrast, the locals have lost their livelihood because of the projects.Moreover, the environment has also been affected,” he added.

ManyRakhine villagers are still deprived of due compensation as they had to handover their lands for all the projects.

Theynow apprehend that once the railway project is completed more Chinese peoplewill come to Rakhine State and buy their land for business purposes. Thus theywill not only lose their lands but also their traditional culture.

Therailway project will connect Kyauk Phyu with Mandalay and finally Kunming viaShan North Muse.

Thegovernments China and Myanmar signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in2011 during the days of former President U Thein Sein.  

Duringthe National League for Democracy led government in Myanmar, China President XiJinping visited the country in 2019 and signed 33 contracts including therailway project between the two governments.

TheKyaukPhyu-Kunming railway project is a part of theChinese government's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the entire project isestimated to cost US$8.9 billion.