Myitsone issue’s proper solution acceptable to both sides is being found out

Myitsone issue’s proper solution acceptable to both sides is being found out
Part of the controversial Myitsone Dam project, which was suspended by the government of President U Thein Sein in 2011, in northern Kachin State. (AFP)
Part of the controversial Myitsone Dam project, which was suspended by the government of President U Thein Sein in 2011, in northern Kachin State. (AFP)
Published 14 January 2019
Hsan Moe Tun

If Myitsone issue fails to be resolved after a long delay, it will seriously hurt the confidence of Chinese entrepreneurs in investing in Myanmar. Therefore, China and Myanmar are in close consultation on the issue of Myitsone hydropower project to find out a proper solution acceptable to both sides as soon as possible, said Mr. Hong Liang, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar. 

Mr. Hong Liang, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar, visited Myitkyina and met with leaders of political parties and social organizations in Kachin State on 28 and 29 December 2018.

On the economic and trade cooperation between China and Kachin State, Ambassador Hong Liang said that in accordance with the consensus reached by the state leaders of the two countries, China and Myanmar are jointly building the Belt and Road and China-Myanmar Economic Corridor. Kachin State is adjacent to China, acting as an important hub of China-Myanmar Economic Corridor. At present, the two sides are planning to build Houqiao-Kanpitetee China-Myanmar border economic cooperation zone and an industrial park in Myitkyina. China and Myanmar are also actively pushing forward the connectivity of railways, highways and power grids, which will bring enormous opportunities for the economic and social development of Kachin State. 

Ambassador Hong Liang said that currently one of the difficulties facing China-Myanmar cooperation is the issue of Myitsone hydropower project, which has been put on hold for seven years. If this issue fails to be resolved after a long delay, it will seriously hurt the confidence of Chinese entrepreneurs in investing in Myanmar. In addition to that, Myanmar’s economic and social development and the building of China-Myanmar Economic Corridor require sufficient electricity supply. To this end, China and Myanmar are in close consultation on the issue of Myitsone hydropower project to find out a proper solution acceptable to both sides as soon as possible. In this connection, support from the people of Kachin State would be highly valued.

Leaders of political parties and social organizations in Kachin State said they are willing to promote Kachin State’s participation in the building of the Belt and Road and China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, and welcome Chinese enterprises to invest in Kachin State. They stressed the importance of electricity supply for the development of Kachin State and Myanmar. They also said that the local people of Kachin State do not oppose the Myitsone hydropower project; It is some individuals and social organizations from outside that oppose the project. 

Ambassador Hong Liang appreciates the positive attitude of political parties and social organizations in Kachin State on the Myitsone project and hopes that they express their positive attitude on the project to the union government.

Regarding why the local people of Kachin State, political parties and social organizations do not oppose Myitsone issue, Kwan Gaung Aung Kham, Chairman of Kachin Democratic Party that discussed with the Chinese ambassador, said he was a little late for the meeting. He did not think the local people said like so. They, Kachin Democratic Party was always opposed to. He did not agree on as well. He did not agree on it now, didn’t agree on it previously and wouldn’t agree on it in the future. 

During the visit, Ambassador Hong Liang met with Chairman of the Kachin State Democracy Party Manam Tu Ja, Chairman of the Unity and Democracy Party of Kachin State U Hkyet Hting Nan, Chairman of the Kachin Democracy Party Gumgrawng Awng Hkam, Chairman of the Lisu National Development Party U Si Phar Lar Lu (U Shwe Minn), Chairman of the Shan Ethnic Affairs Society (Northern Myanmar) U Sai San Wae and Chairman of the Kachin Baptist Convention Hkalam Samson. They exchanged views on the peace process in northern Myanmar, the resettlement of IDPs, the anti-drug campaign in northern Myanmar and the economic and trade cooperation between China and Kachin State.

Edited by Win Htut