CNI News

15 October 2024

There are discussions and comments among military and political circles whether political dialogues could arise in 2025 so as to end political and armed conflicts. 

China could take part in necessary places such as Haigen discussion while India, Thailand and ASEAN could participate in the peace of Myanmar, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), Dr. Aye Maung told CNI News.

" In my opinion,  Mr.Wang Yi (Chinese FM)'s trip to Myanmar and his speech would represent the policy of the Chinese Communist Party. China will go on making efforts to make Myanmar peaceful and it could push the ASEAN to do so. Now Paetongtan (Thai PM) will lead in the peace process of Myanmar, which the ASEAN seems to support. The ASEAN could take part in the peace process of Myanmar inside out. It's likely that Thailand will lead and discuss in December this year." he said.

Myanmar opposition elements and international diplomats met and discussed in Indonesia on 4th and 5th October in order to end the armed and politial conflicts taking place in Myanmar. 

While the ASEAN Summit Talk was being held in October 2024

And then, the ASEAN Summit Talk was held in Laos on 9th Octover 2024 and mainly discussed the issues of Myanmar and South China Sea.

Because China, India and Thailand share border with Myanmar, they could support to make comprehensive political talks arise, pointed out political commentators. Because of political disagreements starting from 1st February 2021, armed conflicts have been taking place widely across the country.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance (MNDAA,TNLA,AA) launched Operation-1027 on 27th October 2023 and waged battles to capture towns. The Haigen Agreement was signed by both sides at the Chinese mediation on 11th January 2024. However, after the agreement was void on 25th June, battles resumed.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and the Chines FM Wang Yi

Peace talks could be more difficult if the military means was used for long; if both sides compromised based on prestigious principles, it could be convenient, chairman of the PNLO-NCA/S, Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.

" Organizations concerned could reconsider the military means if the political results that they wanted came out. If the competition by military means takes long, it could be more difficult to meet and discuss. So, I think, before bigger problems take place, a lot of dialogues will arise. The dialogues will arise by the end of this year, I think. An EAO has requested China to mediate to make peace talks arise. If China will mediate in a gentleman style, it could be convenient." he said.

As the SAC had announced that it would hold a general election in 2025 and the State power would be handed over to the winning party, comprehensive political dialogues could arise that year, pointed out military and political analysts.

CNI News

15 October 2024

There are discussions among military and political analysts how China could contribute in the election that will be held by the State Administration Council (SAC) in 2025. 

As China supported the emergence of a new government through a general election, in the election that would be held by the SAC, China could stand with the SAC politically as well as it could help with materials, chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization, an NCA signatory (PNLO-NCA/S), Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.

" China could stand with the SAC politically regarding the election and buttress the legitimacy of the election by recognizing the results of the election. Moreover, it could help materially such as technics and finance as well. Politically standing with is more beneficial." he said.

While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was meeting with political parties

Because China could carry out for its interests only when a civilian government comes to power in Myanmar, it is encouraging so as to be able to hold the election. 

However, it was necessary to hold discussions and negotiations among EAOs, opposition elements, political parties and the SAC, pointed out military and political analysts.

The implementation of what the majority supported should be conducted through the election, they pointed out. 

Moreover, according to the current situation of Myanmar, it was necessary to conduct a political change after holding the election, U Aung Pyae Sone, a businessman, told CNI News.

While seeig Wang Yi and Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

" As long as the election can't be held, battles are going on and so are territorial instabilities with the philosophy of the World War II. According to our country's situation, holding the election only will be an exit for the country, I think." he said.

The attitudes towards the election were included in the discussion between the Chinese Special Envoy Mr. Deng Xijun and the United Wa State Army (UWSA) that was leaked out. 

Moreover, China would support the election that would be held by the SAC and wanted all the stakeholders to take part in the election, said the Chinese FM Wang Yi while he was meeting with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing on 14th August 2024 during his trip to Myanmar.

A general election would be held in 2025 and the State power would be handed over to the winning party, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. Although it is estimated that the election will be surely held, the election could not be widely held because of territorial instabilities, which some people make comments.

CNI News

14 October 2024

It received a piece of information that foreign forces were planning to enter and intervene in the internal affairs of Myanmar not very long ago and as a result, Myanmar could face great and severe changes, which the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) on 9th October. 

However, it did not describe which foreign forces and what kinds of changes were referred.

“According to the current complicated domestic situation, individuals  related to our party, government and army must comply with the following instructions so as not to make external forces use our party and army by force, so as to protect from participating in undesirable disputes and conflicts." said in the statement.

While seeing the statement released by the MNDAA

(1) Travelling to members of the ASEAN, the US and western countries without being permitted has been prohibited.(2) Those related to troops have been prohibited from participating in international conferences regarding the issues of Myanmar without being permitted. (3) Accepting interviews with reporters from western media without being permitted has been prohibited and interviews with foreign media will not be accepted this year. (4) description of positions and attitudes individually or in the name of the organization without being permitted has been prohibited, said in the statement.

The members of the party and troops and those related to them, without being permitted, must not travel to or deal with ASEAN countries, the US and western countries, released the MNDAA on 9th October 2024.

The Chinese government also is putting pressure on the MNDAA so as not to deal with ASEAN countries, the US and western group as well as to stop fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw immediately.

While seeing the US Deputy FM and the NUG FM

And then, the Chinese Special Envoy Mr. Deng Xijun met with vice chairman of the United Wa State Army Jiao Kaw Ann on 27th August and discussed the Myanmar's issue and the MNDAA's military movements.

The MNDAA and the TNLA breached the Haigen Agreement and re-ignited the war and they captured Lashio, which was damaging the political situation in northern part of Myanmar (along the China-Myanmar border) and the China-Myanmar relation as well as making way for the US and western countries to intervene, said Deng Xijun during the meeting.

" Kokang (MNDAA) becomes bold gradually and is helping the NUG/PDF receiving support from the US and western countries. Moreover, it is participating actively in overthrowing the Myanmar military government. Now it's become an organization that will disturb not only northern Myanmar but also the entire Myanmar." he said.

While the MNDAA has captured Lashio City

After making allies with the NUG/PDFs are trying to overthrow the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the SAC, the MNDAA is fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw and capturing towns.

Three northern allies (MNDAA, TNLA, AA) including some PDFs launched Operation-1027 on 27th October 2023 as the first wave and again as the second wave, starting from 25th June 2024, they waged Operation-1027 and captured Lashio City and the Northeast Command of the Tatmadaw.

In the same way, they have captured Laukkai, Kon Kyan, Phaungsai, Chin Shwe Haw, Mongko, Kutkai and Theinni.

In order to be able to wage the operations, the MNDAA, the TNLA and the NUG were receiving 200 million dollars each year from the US, reported the SAC.

Any foreign intervention would not be allowed; Myanmar citizens only must resolve the issue of Myanmar, said the Chinese FM Mr. Wang Yi during his trip to Myanmar on 14th August 2024.

CNI News

14 October 2024

Some elements from the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) have formed the PNLO-NCA/S as a National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) signatory under the leadership of Col. Khun Okkar, which the organization released today dated 9th October.

The PNLO signed the NCA with seven other EAOs on 15th October 2015. With the political changes after 1st February 2021, the PNLO was split into two groups and one is led by Col. Khun Okkar and the other is led by Col. Khun Thurein (current chairman).

The group led by Khun Thurein will stand with the Spring Revolution that is fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the group led by Col. Khun Okkar will go on walking on the NCA path.

While seeing the statement released by Col. Khun Okkar

For the sake of peace, development and security of the Pa-O nationalities, the leading patron could take the responsibility as the chairman in a state of emergency and would form the PNLO-NCA/S in accordance with the constitution of the PNLO and will go on walking on the NCA path, said in the statement on which Col. Khun Okkar has signed.

In the leading team of the PNLO-NCA/S, Col. Khun Okkar will serve as the chairman and Major Khun Min Thein, as the general secretary and Nan Yin Yin Soe, as the associate general secretary.

CNI News

14 October 2024

There are discussions among military, political and economic analysts whether a general election that will be held by the SAC in 2025 can emerge surely. 

They were discussing the effects that would emerge if the election could be held and the consequences that would emerge if the election could not be held. 

Among the pieces of information leaked out from the meeting of the Chinese Special Envoy Mr. Deng Xijun and deputy chairman of the UWSA, as attitudes regarding the election were included as well, questions whether it was likely to hold the election surely have emerged.

Although the election could surely emerge, if a reasonable political situation could not be created, the election could not be widely held, leading patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.

" In my opinion, the election can be surely held. How widely it can be held depends on our political situation. So, it's necessary to create a good political situation or the election can't be widely held. If political agreement that has been reached by 75 or 80 percent in advance among the SAC, EAOs and opposition elements before the election, the election can be more successfully held." he said.

While the Union Election Commission was meeting with political parties

If a new government came to power after the election, negotiations would be carried out with EAOs, said some people. Moreover, the new government would have to carry out the reconstruction tasks in the regions where battles broke out. 

And then, the new government would have to lead the country's economy. However, if the new government was not able to carry out the tasks successfully, a difficult period would be passed, U Aung Pyae Sone, a businessman, told CNI News.

" In leading the economy, if the new government was able to manage to make the ASEAN countries, European countries, Russia and China come and invest in Myanmar. The job opportunities could emerge and the economy could recover. Otherwise, we'll have to face a difficult period." he said.

While the Chinese FM Wang Yi and Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing were meeting

If the election could not held in 2025, battles would go on breaking out, just holding the election was an exit for the country, pointed out military, political and economic analysts.

The census-taking has being conducted in the entire nation from 1st to 15th October and if vote lists were made, a general election would be held in 2025 after which the State power would be handed over to the winning party, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

China would help the election and wanted to make all the stakeholders participate in the election, said the Chinese FM Wang Yi during his meeting with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing on 14th August 2024.

CNI News

14 October 2024

It was necessary to make the world know that Myanmar is a country where tourists can travel to so as not to make Myanmar die out in the global tourism market, U Naung  Naung Han, chairman of the Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, told CNI News. 

As airline transport frequency is fewer than the period of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was difficult for tourists to come to Myanmar because of lack of airlines and of high cost; so, it was necessary to expand airline transport, he said.

" The government needs to relax visas for some countries. Visa on arrival has been granted to several countries on the basis of limitation. If many countries were granted, there could be an increase in the number of tourists who would enter Myanmar. It's necessary to publicize that there are safe trips in Myanmar. Thirdly, international airlines should be invited to expand airline transport." said U Naung Naung Han.

Because foreign tourists found it difficult to get a visa, many countries were granted visa relaxation, it would be convenient, pointed out some people.

While seeing tourists in the Bagan region

At present, nine ASEAN countries except for Malaysia and Russia have been exempted from visa and visa on arrival has been granted to some countries.

However, visas should be relaxed to the countries whose citizens really come to Myanmar, U Thet Lwin Toe, a tourism entrepreneur, told CNI News.

“Some citizens from Greece, Spain and South America come to Myanmar. These countries have potential. They have to come from very distant places. They don't have Myanmar Embassies in their countries. Some citizens from Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Greece and Spain. If possible, these countries should be granted visa on arrival. As Thailand grants visa free to nearly a hundred countries, its tourism industry has progressed a lot." he said.

Over three million foreign tourists entered Myanmar and over one million foreign tourists only came to Myanmar in 2023 through international airports and border gates because of the Covid-19 pandemic and political changes.

However, over 500,000 foreign tourists only entered Myanmar until September this year.

CNI News

14 October 2024

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) has prohibited its members of party, troops and those related to them so as not to go on a trip to or deal with ASEAN members, US and western countries, it reported on 9th October 2024. 

Not long ago, a piece of news came in of external forces planning to intervene in the internal affairs of Myanmar and as a result, great and severe changes could emerge, said in the statement.

However, the statement didn't describe what kinds of changes were and what external forces were. 

" According to the current complicated domestic situation, individuals  related to our party, government and army must comply with the following instructions so as not to make external forces use our party and army by force, so as to protect from participating in undesirable disputes and conflicts." said in the statement.

While seeing the statement released by the MNDAA

(1) Travelling to members of the ASEAN, the US and western countries without being permitted has been prohibited. 

(2) Those related to troops have been prohibited from participating in international conferences regarding the issues of Myanmar without being permitted. 

(3) Accepting interviews with reporters from western media without being permitted has been prohibited and interviews with foreign media will not be accepted this year. 

(4) description of positions and attitudes individually or in the name of the organization without being permitted has been prohibited, said in the statement.

Making allies with the NUG/PDFs that have received support from the US and western group and are trying to overthrow the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the SAC, the MNDAA is carrying out waging battles and capturing towns.

While seeing the MNDAA and the Defense Minister of the NUG U Yi Mon 

Three northern allies (MNDAA, TNLA, AA) including some PDFs launched Operation-1027 on 27th October 2023 as the first wave and again as the second wave, starting from 25th June 2024, they waged Operation-1027 and captured Lashio City and the Northeast Command of the Tatmadaw.

In the same way, they have captured Laukkai, Kon Kyan, Phaungsai, Chin Shwe Haw, Mongko, Kutkai and Theinni. In order to be able to wage these operations, they received financial support from the US, reported the SAC.

The Chinese government also is putting pressure on the MNDAA so as not to deal with ASEAN countries, the US and western group as well as to stop fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw immediately.

CNI News

14 October 2024

Military and political analysts are pointing out how China is important to the peace talks in order to stop battles breaking out in many parts of Myanmar and near the Chinese border. 

China objected to instability and battles breaking out in Myanmar; organizations concerned should resolve the disagreements among them in a peaceful manner after ceasefire; China wanted to participate in a constructive attitude, released China.

In search of means so as to stop battles breaking out near the China-Myanmar border as well as on the China-Myanmar trade route, if China was able to lead and hold peace talks such as Haigen, it could be resolved, Col. Khun Okkar, leading patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) told CNI News.

“In my opinion, China has imposed sanctions on some northern EAOs. They also keep themselves from hurting their dignities. There might be an exit if they showed some flexy attitudes so that air strikes could decrease.If China led and held peace talks like Haigen and Kokang, Wa and Palaung attended and discussed, it could be resolved, I think. If the discussion like this could not be held, the people would be hurt. China doesn't seem to like the battles currently breaking out because they are hurting its economy. If leaders of the EAOs can win some self-determination rights as well, they can come back to the discussions, I think." he said.

While seeing leaders from the UWSA, the NDAA and the MNDAA

Although China doesn't have full influence on armed groups, as they have to depend on China for arms, ammunition, medicine, food, fuel oil and so on, they can't have anything to do with China, they can't alienate with China in the long run, according to political analysts.

China sent a waring letter in which the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) must stop waging battles in northern Shan State and Mandalay Region or it will be punished by China.

Moreover, China warned the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) to retreat from Lashio and stop battles as well as so as not to make the Tatmadaw disintegrate and if it didn't accept that, the MNDAA would be punished. 

The MNDAA would not collaborate with the NUG and in cooperation with China, it would resolve the conflicts through a political dialogue, which the MNDAA released on 4th September 2024.

While seeing Mr. Deng Xijun

Even though the EAOs could not be in harmony with the Chinese policies, it was not possible for them to go against kind of, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-Myanmar affair analyst, told CNI News.

" There may be reasons why China has imposed sanctions on the EAOs. May be China acceded to the military council's requests to an extent. As for us (EAOs), even though we can't be in harmony with the Chinese policies, it's not possible for us to go against the polices. When China demand, may be we have to accede to an extent. For example, look at a statement released by the Kokang (MNDAA)." she said.

Among 19 Chinese projects in northern Shan State and other regions, 10 projects have been fully controlled by EAOs and PDFs, released the ISP-Myanmar on 19th August.

Battles are breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and EAOs or the PDFs in Sagaing, Magway, Mandalay, Bago, Tanintharyi Regions, Shan, Karen, Kayah, Rakhine, Kachin, Mon and Chin States.

CNI News

12 October 2024

Illegal imports hurt both official businesses and the country's economy, said Vice Sr-Gen Soe Win, vice chairman of the State Administration Council. 

He said the above   at the co-ordination meeting of the anti-illegal trade leading committee (4/2024) on 9th October 2024.

" As a result of illegal imports, legal businesses are finding it difficult to exist for long because they can't compete on prices. So, official businessmen don't want to expand their businesses. In the end, domestic production industries can suspend." he said.

And then if the businessmen within the country could not grow, national economic objectives could be damaged; agricultural productivity, national productivity, trade and commerce could be damaged, he added.

In the same way, as illegal businesses became stronger, the stability of commodity price could be damaged in the domestic market, said Vice Senior General Soe Win.

While commodities were being delivered (Photo-Myat Pan/Myanmar Now)

" The main challenge for the emergence of illegal trade is that there are security limitations in some border areas; there are some weaknesses in some legal affairs; the number of government staff is not sufficient for the anti-illegal trade activities and there are corruptions. So, it is necessary to prevent those things." he said.

Illegal trade value seized was 300.028 billion kyats from January 2022 to August 2024. Among those seized from July and August, the custom department was able to seize the most.  Most illegal trade was seized in Mandalay Region and second most, in Sagaing Region and third most, in Kachin State.

Motor vehicles with no license and motor vehicles carrying illegal commodities were arrested most and second most, raw materials and third most, products for investment, stated the SAC.