The merger of Kachin National Congress (KNC), Kachin State Democracy Party (KSDP) and Kachin Democratic Party (KDP) issued a joint statement on January 14, stating that they have the same desire to totally stop Myitsone dam project.

The top three leaders of the three Kachin political parties met with Mr. Hong Liang, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar in Myitkyina on December 29 in 2018. 

The three Kachin parties wished to issue the statement by the name of “Kachin State Party”, but the registration has not been passed yet. For that reason, the merger of three Kachin parties issued the statement, said Chairman of the Kachin Democratic Party Gumgrawng Awng Hkam

The three Kachin political parties expressed in their statement that they would join hands with international families including China and the United Nations in a bid to achieve success in the hot issues including peace and Myitsone dam. Only if genuine peace comes into view, can we carry out industrial projects in Kachin State. 

“We are presenting our attitude. We have sought approvals from the people. The Chinese embassy also issued the statement as to Myitsone dam. We issued the statement as well,” said Gumgrawng Awng Hkam. 

During the visit to Myitkyina on December 8 and 9 in 2018, 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, according to the statement of the Chinese embassy.

The statement issued by the Chinese embassy on January 13 stated 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.

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, said the statement of the Chinese embassy.

During the meeting with Chinese Ambassador Hong Liang, Chairman of the Kachin Baptist Convention Hkalam Samson said that Kachin State needs developments, but it has nothing to do with Myitsone dam project.

“The decision of the federation is to object to Myitsone dam project. The KBC never organized any protest and meeting in Myitsone when the Chinese ambassador visited there. I don’t know how they understood what I mentioned,” Chairman of the Kachin Baptist Convention Hkalam Samson said.

He continued to say that no one would like environmental deterioration by building Myitsone dam too high at the confluence of Maykha and Malikha.

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, according to the statement of the Chinese embassy. 

Translated and Edited by Win Htut