Kant Kaw Ni Ni, Narinjara News, 9 June 2024

A  group of Chinese diplomats led by Mr Zheng ZhiHong, Minister Counsellor,  arrived in Kyaukphyu town onSaturday to assess the prospect and impacts of Chinese projects like oil &gas pipelines in the township due to the ongoing conflicts in Arakan State.

Kyaukphyu was declared a target of offensiveoperations by the Arakha Army (AA), which has brought the rural areas of thetownship under its control. So the Chinese diplomats visited the locality toassess the ground situation.

Nearly eight officials from the Yangon-based Chinaembassy in Myanmar arrived in Kyaukphyu by an aeroplane on 8 June.

“The diplomats are assumed to stay on Maday island fortwo days to  inspect the oil & gas pipelines. They will also reviewthe future status of all Chinese projects," said a local youth.

Myanmar military government earns up to US$1 billionannually from the Chinese natural gas projects and in 2022 they exportednatural gas worth US$1.43 billion from Arakan State to China, reported BETV.

Although Beijing is actively facilitating talksbetween the junta forces and AA for a halt in  gun fighting across Arakan State theyare yet to reach a ceasefire agreement.

Despite China's mediation efforts for a ceasefire inthe Arakan region, it has not surfaced due to the junta's attacks on civilians,commented AA spokesman U Khaing Thukha during a press conference on 8 June.