The opening of the Chengdu-Lincang line will further mainland Southeast Asia’s historic reorientation toward the north.
Category: Myanmar
China opens rail line with access to Indian Ocean via Myanmar
he route is the first to link western China with the Indian Ocean. And it will significantly reduce the time needed to import cargo to landlocked Yunnan Province. The route will go through Mandalay, Lashio and Hsenwi on the Myanmar side.
With Myanmar’s press muzzled, experts warn of surge in environmental crimes
With the loss of the independent press watchdog a reality, experts say they fear the circumstances are ripe for overexploitation of natural resources.
Deforestation surge continues amid deepening uncertainty in Myanmar
atellite data from the University of Maryland show a surge in forest clearing in northern parts of the Tanintharyi region in southern Myanmar, including within a protected area.
Chinese dams cloud Mekong River relations
So the new Chinese ambassador to Thailand will have a challenge to prove that the countries’ friendship remains strong. He can’t just resort to diplomatic rhetoric. Of course, being dubbed as a “younger sibling” and “one family”, will make Thais’ hearts glow. Yet the proof of fraternity will be seen in the river that runs unimpeded.
The Kachin insurgency could cut off Myanmar’s junta from the $30 billion jade trade
The KIA threat to Hpakant and Myitkyina could cut off the military from the lucrative jade trade.
The jade trade is estimated to be worth $31 billion annually. The Tatmadaw and major EAOs rely on jade to bolster their war chests and to line their leaders’ pockets.
Australian mining company sells stake in Myanmar project
Myanmar Metals Limited said in a statement it had undertaken a detailed review of its assets and operations in Myanmar and determined that the political situation has undermined the confidence of markets
Illegal logging on the rise in Arakan amid political instability: environmental group
While the forest resources in Arakan State were declining due to over-exploitation, the current political instability was exacerbating the situation and could lead to ecosystem degradation if not managed in time.
Myanmar junta’s coup gives greenlight to timber traffickers
Timber logging usually takes a break in the monsoon. Even smugglers halt their activities from mid-May to early October to avoid the rainy season. However, Salai witnesses 15 to 20 timber trucks passing each day near his village in Hkamti, Sagaing Region—a highly forested region in northwest Myanmar between the border with India and Kachin State.
Human rights claims undermine China’s investment abroad, report finds
The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre logged 679 charges of human rights abuse against Chinese companies operating abroad between 2013 and 2020. Among the key findeings were problems associated with lost livelihoods linked to a rail project in Laos were noted, the vast majority of the renewable energy complaints were related to hydropower projects, and Myanmar saw the most allegations of any country with 97.