Irrawaddy-Apr 2
Myanmar’s junta is racing to assure Chinese officials that it can ensure security on the border and elsewhere in the country since the Arakan Army encircled the site of a US$ 8 billion investment project in Rakhine State considered to be the pearl of economic cooperation between Naypyitaw and Beijing. The deep-sea port and special economic zone are to be developed on an island off the coast of Rakhine State. The Arakan Army (AA), the armed wing of the United League of Arakan (ULA), is fighting to drive junta troops out of the state. Last month it seized a town near the port. On March 25, the ULA asserted that it was the government of the state in a statement released in three languages – Burmese, Chinese and English – and invited foreign investors in Rakhine State to work with its Arakkha People Revolutionary Government to ensure their investment projects proceed smoothly. The ULA welcomes all foreign investment “that we deem to benefit Arakan and its development,” it said. It also vowed to ensure the security of foreign investment and the safety of personnel before inviting foreign investors to work with the ULA to “ensure the smooth continuation of their operations.” The junta responded on Tuesday, saying junta boss Min Aung Hlaing on Monday met China’s Special Envoy for Asian Affairs Deng Xijun on Monday to discuss peace talks with ethnic armed groups for both border security and internal stability. Both sides also discussed Chinese assistance to the peace process, bilateral cooperation for drug prevention and the elimination of online gambling and fraud, border trade, and pollical developments in Myanmar. Read more at:
