Aye MyatKhaing

Narinjara News, 2 May 2024

Amidst the escalatingclashes in Rakhine State, about 500 Chinese nationals arrived in Kyaukphyutownship on Tuesday.

The Chineseindividuals came by a ship to Maday island of Kyaukphyu locality, where theChinese projects are located. They are also understood to visit the deep-seaport project in Kyaukphyu.

"Theship directly entered Maday island from China. About 20 construction machineswere also brought. All the backhoes and machines were already transported tothe project site. The ship has now departed the port,” said a reliable source.

The Chineseofficials are staying at Varanasi hotel in Kyaukphyu, informed a local socialactivist.

Thevisiting Chinese nationals include engineers and they are engaged in broadeningthe road from Maday island to  Kyaukphyu   specialeconomic zone. They are assumed to work for the deep-sea port too.

"Theymay build additional deep-sea ports namely number 1 and 2. We have learnt thatthey are going to build more roads connecting Kulabar village. They have undertaken the project works  as the war hardly affect theiroperations,” added the social activist.

TheKyaukphyu deep-sea port project and the special economic zone are identified assignificant Chinese projects in Myanmar.

On 26December 2023, the military junta announced that China's CITIC group and thejunta had signed an addendum for the Kyaukphyu deep-sea port project involvingan investment of billions of dollars.

The juntaalso mentioned that both sides were  collaborating to initiate theproject's urgent  implementation. However, they have not disclosed moredetails about the agreement.

The Chinesenationals have been asked to implement the addendum guidelines relating to thedeep-sea port project. It may have significant impacts on the Rakhine region,currently witnessing clashes between the junta forces and  Arakha Army(AA) soldiers.

“Evenduring the period of political stability in the past, those projects did notensure due benefits to local residents. With the ongoing intense fighting,neither the junta nor the AA can fully concentrate on the development works. SoChina's expansion works may lead to significant losses for the Rakhine people,”he added.

Kyaukphyuspecial economic zone project agreement was initially signed under the U TheinSein's administration where  85% ownership was enjoyed by China (15% byMyanmar). During the National League for Democracy (NLD) run government, thecontract was revised in November 2018, where the ownership of Chinese companieswas reduced to 70% (30% for Myanmar).

Now thejunta soldiers are experiencing setbacks in various military operations andthey have sought Beijing’s assistance for formulating a ceasefire. Despitemultiple negotiations with the AA, they have failed to reach an agreement tilldate.

Despite theconflicts,  both the armed sides have agreed to avoid targeting theChinese projects in Rakhine State, so that they can continue their workswithout interruption, stated a social activist of Kyaukphyu.