CNI News

3 January  2024

The statement released by the National Unity Government that it would go on supporting the one China policy would not produce a good result in the diplomatic relations with the democratic countries, pointed out Myanmar politicians.

There have been historically close relations between Myanmar and China, and China is a powerful country which is an important country especially to Myanmar, the NUG stated on 1st January 2024.

" Myanmar and China share a border that is more than 2,000 kilometers long and they are neighboring countries that will have to live together as long as the world exists and Myanmar will build a kinship relation between the two countries. And Myanmar will always strive to stand as a good neighboring country for China and will go on supporting the one China policy." said the NUG.

While seeing the statement released by the NUG

The NUG's announcement that it would continue supporting the one China policy would not produce a good result, U Myo Kyaw, spokesperson of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) told CNI News.

" It doesn't matter if the NUG didn't reveal that at a time like this. Because while we are fighting against the military dictator, our common enemy, democratic countries are standing as our allies. While we are collecting strength from western democratic countries, putting a point in the statement that goes against Taiwan, a friend of these democratic countries as the fourt point won't produce a good result for us, I think." he said.

Moreover, looking forwards to the interest development for the people from the two countries, the Chinese investment and other social economic industries would be protected, said in the statement.

While seeing the NUG's People's Defense Force

Successive Myanmar governments supported the one China policy, U Kyi Myint, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" Successive Myanmar governments supported the one China policy. At present, the State Administration Council supports the one China policy. But the SAC has a trade relations with Taiwan. The trade value is by the US billion dollars like under the NLD government. The US also has recognized the policy that Taiwan is under China. But the US is demanding China to recognize that Taiwan is going with a democratic system. Myanmar doesn't demand like that. But under the current military council, the relation between Myanmar and Taiwan has even increased more." he said.

While the NUG is striving to overthrow the Tatmadaw government, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang Province, China are also trying to liberate their regions.

CNI News

3 January 2024

When issuing certificates of identity (CI) to 900,000 Myanmar people who have been enlisted in the name list in Thailand, the role of brokers could be bigger, those who are helping in the affairs of migrant workers told CNI. 

The eight camps would be open on 4th January to issue CI to about 900,000 Myanmar people who have been enlisted in the name list by Thai employers, Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok has stated.

" Agents who are related to labor officers work as brokers at every camp. Outsiders are not allowed to enter the camp. If you work with brokers, CI book will be easily issued to you. CI books will be issued to 900,000 people during the designated period. Some workers have to go back to work all of a sudden because of their livelihood difficulties. Some workers have to spend a lot of money to register in the name list. If they don't have enough money for the time being to get CI books, it might take them long to get it." said Ko Thar Gyi who is helping in the affairs of migrant workers.

Those who are waiting in line to take CI (old photo)

Samut Sakhon, Samut Prakan, Chonburi, Patong Thani, Surat Thani, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Sawan and Songkhla Mobile Camps will be open to issue CI. 

However, compared to the population, the number of camps was still few, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development (FED) told CNI News.

" 80 or 90n percent of the workers might work with brokers to get CI. Brokers work both on that side and on this side relating to each other. If a migrant worker wants to get a CI alone, he has to make a package deal with brokers. Because many employers ask their workers to work with brokers. So, it will cost workers more. Brokers and agents are essential for the time being." he said.

A camp that issues CI

Thai government allowed undocumented foreigners to enlist them in the name list in July, 2023. However, those who apply for CI would pay the income tax, the people who are helping in the affairs of migrant workers told CNI News.

Because the income tax must be paid to the Myanmar government for the six months, there might be Myanmar migrant workers who will accept themselves as illegal workers. On the other hand, there are workers who want to pay the income tax because they did not want to be illegal workers, they said.

CNI News

2 January, 2024

It would be supporting the one China policy, the National Unity Government stated its position on 1st January 2024, saying it was the NUG's attitude relating to China. 

" Myanmar and the People's Republic of China share a border of more than two thousand kilometers. They must live together as long as the world exists as neighboring countries and the NUG will build the kinship relationship. Myanmar will always strive to stand up as a good neighbor to China." said in the statement.

Moreover, the NUG would be supporting the one China policy and it would protect the Chinese economic investment and other social economic industries, looking forward to the development of the interests of the people of the two countries, said in the statement. 

And any organizations that are threatening the security of the neighnoring countries would not be allowed to set foot in the territory of Myanmar, the NUG stated.

Those who are serving in the NUG are taking refuge in the US and European countries that are rivals of China and they are taking aids from these countries. However, as as the NUG had issued an attitude of its that will satisfy China, it probably would fail in the diplomatic relations, pointed out political analysts.

When the diplomatic relation was tense between China and the US/Japan because of the Taiwan issue, supporting China instead of Taiwan shows a lack of tact in diplomatic relations, they pointed out.

CNI News

2 January 2024

Not only political and regional stabilities are needed, administrative policies also need to be changed to recover the country's economy that has been adversely affected, said businessmen and economic analysts. 

Because of regional instabilities, trade and manufacturing cannot be performed. And then, the country's economy has been adversely affected.

In order to improve the country's economy, political stability should be done first by the State Administration Council and in doing so, the currently used administrative policies needed to be changed, U Thet Zaw, an economic commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing a greengrocer

" Only when there is political stability, can we improve the economy. Politics will be stable only when governance is stable. And then, the economy also will be stable. We cannot prioritize the economy alone. Manufacturing can only be done if the regions are stable. In the northern Shan State, both trade and production cannot be done. Because the SAC is performing in both military and governance, it's not very convenient. Frankly speaking,if it takes responsibility in the military, it doesn't have to take responsibility in governance. But regional governance and stability must be performed successfully. After forming a civilian government, assign it to improve the economy. In fact, formatting needs to be good to improve the economy. The current trend needs to be changed to really improve the economy." said U Thet Zaw.

The SAC would work to strengthen agro based SMEs more than the current situation, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing in his New Year greeting speech.

As the prices of foreign currencies have become higher than before, the profit from the export of agricultural products is more than before. 

While seeing vegetables

So, the SAC should carry out to further improve agriculture, livestock and other manufacturing industries in the stable regions and states, U Thiha Paing, founder of the Via Logistics and Supply Chain, told CNI News.

" The government has to encourage productivity in the stable territories so that it will be convenient for businessmen and national income. The government also gets tax from exports. But there are still a lot of difficulties such as remittance problems, difficulty getting containers, no ships and difficulty getting license. And export licenses should be granted as many as possible so that products can be exported as much as possible. If so, it can make up for the income that was suspended because the border gates have been closed." he added.

Although profits for farmers and traders from exporting increased, it was necessary not to export excessively so that there would be food security within the country and excessive price increases would not occur, pointed out businessmen and economic commentators.

CNI News

2 January  2024

Even if the EAOs and their allies were able to capture the territories of ethnic people, would the Tatmadaw continue airstrike, using sophisticated weapons, which Lt-Gen Min Naing, secretary of the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) of the State Administration Council said, according to Brig-Gen Ta Bon Kyaw, general secretary of the Ta'ang National Liberation Army.

" Attitude of the secretary of the NSPNC towards the country and ethnic people - 'even if you were able to capture the towns and villages of ethnic people, your regions would never be peaceful. We'll continue airstrikes, using sophisticated weapons that we have.” Brig-Gen Ta Bon Kyaw wrote on social network page on 1st January 2024.

The secretary of the NSPNC said at the meeting between the NSPNC led by Lt-Gen Min Naing and the Three Brotherhood Alliance (MNDAA,TNLA and AA) that was held in Kumming, China on 23rd December 2023, Brig-Gen Ta Bon Kyaw wrote on his page.

While seeing the letter written by Brig-Gen Ta Bon Kyaw

Currently, the TNLA has already captured Namtu, Namkham, Nangsan and Mang Ton Towns and is waging an offensive in order that Kyaukme and Hsibaw Towns in northern Shan State can be captured. 

In the same way, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) has already captured Mong Ko, Phaung Sai, Kon Kyan, Kyukote (Pangsai) and Chin Shwe Haw Townships and is waging an offensive to capture Laukkai.

Moreover, the Arakan Army (AA) is waging battles in Rakhine State to expand controlled territories.

The Operation-1027 led by the Three Brotherhood Alliance has been waging since 27th October 2023 and the Mandalay People's Defense Force (MDY-PDF), the Bamar People Liberation Army (BPLA), the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and PDFs led by Bo Nagar are participating in the operation. 

CNI News
January 1, 2024

The State Administration Council (SAC) would go on carrying out its political objectives and roadmap successfully, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC in his News Year greeting address to the nation.

 Quite a lot of property owned by the country and the people were damaged in 2023 because of various destructive activities, which brought a negative sign for the country, he said.

" The government and all ethnic people were able to overcome some of the difficulties and challenges that they encountered in 2023, hand in hand successfully. Those who do not want to make their country develop peacefully and democratically disturbed the people in various ways. Due to various subversive ‌activities, the state-owned and the people's properties were damaged and lost, which was a negative sign for the country. If there were no such damages and losses, our country would develop a lot. This is a lesson for us. We must overcome these difficulties with united strength and with love for the country. In 2024, our government will carry out with the people hand in hand in order that we can successfully implement the national objectives, political objectives and roadmap." he said.

However, he did not reveal how to approach in order that the national and political objectives may be successful. The SAC would encourage the improvement of economic and educational sectors, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

Whie seeing the Five Point Roadmap of the SAC

Changes might appear at the end of January and on 1st February this year. So, The speech of the SAC chairman was not wrong, Col.Khun Okka, an EAO leader, told CNI News.

" He might have spoken like before because there have had no other changes during the New Year. But other changes might arise at the end of January and on 1st February or on 12th February. But what he have said so for the time being is not wrong, I think." said Col.Khun Okka.

The SAC has taken the power since the first of February 2021, declaring a state of emergency and its administration will be three years long on the first of February, 2024.

National census-taking would be conducted during this year so that a general election could be held and the SAC could hand over the State power to the winning party, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

CNI News

1 January , 2024

The Enaing Bridge was damaged by mines on the road between Mamtu and Lashio at around 3:00 a.m 1st January 2024.

It was damaged by the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), said locals. 

The TNLA has stated that it captured the Tatmadaw camps in Namtu a few days ago and has already controlled the entire town.

After that, the TNLA and its allies would go on attacking Kyaukme and Hsibaw and were making preparations to cut out the paths going to Lashio, said military experts.

Because people cannot go to Lashio from Namtu by cars and motorcycles through that bridge, it will be difficult for locals to travel and the flow of goods will also be cut out. 

They might suffer from commodity shortages and high prices, said locals.

CNI News
30 December 2023

Myanmar embassy officials in Thailand should conduct reformations in helping Myanmar workers, Thai-based organizations helping migrant workers told CNI News.

So, committees should be formed to help and solve the affairs of Myanmar migrant workers in many parts of the Thai border area, Ko Naing Naing Aung, director of the Arakan Workers Organizations, told CNI News.

" The Embassy needs to form a committee. That committee should contain individuals from the places where most of Myanmar migrant workers are staying. Moreover, the government needs a fund when solving the problems of the migrant workers. The embassy is taking money from the workers in many ways such as renewals. A lot of money from them is not needed but to collect 10 percent out of their money is just needed to establish a fund that can help the workers. Now there are many Myanmar workers who want to go home because they are not healthy, but they don't have enough money to return. Some governments take responsibility for that sort of thing. The Myanmar Embassy isn't interested in that sort of thing. They always say that they don't have enough staff." he said.

Myanmar Embassy in Thailand tend to carry out the cases that make a good reputation, pointed out the organizations helping migrant workers.

In comparison with other foreign migrant workers, Myanmar migrant workers suffer more human rights violations because Myanmar embassy officials are weak in helping, they said.

Currently, Myanmar embassy officials have not been able to tackle the problems of Myanmar workers across Thailand, U Moe Kyaw, joint secretary of the Yaung Gyi Oo Workers Organization, told CNI News.

" There is an embassy. there are embassy officials. But it's not enough yet. There must be mechanisms that solve problems in each region. Myanmar workers are working in Mahachiang, Phukhet and in the border area, there are Maesot and Ranong. Only If we can carry out mechanisms in these places, can we help in the affairs of the workers. Regionally occurring labor issues are not solved on the ground by the embassy officials. But they might help in the places where they can reach." said U Moe Kyaw.

However, according to the current situation, it was not easy to form committees nationally to help solve the problems of Myanmar workers across the country, said the organizations helping Myanmar migrant workers.

If the committees like that were formed regionally, Myanmar migrant workers whose rights are violated probably will decrease, which the organizations are considering.

The problems Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand are mainly facing are being underpaid, rights violations at workplaces, and being fired for no reason reportedly from the organizations.

CNI News
30 December 2023

Six month period extended by the State Administration Council will expire on 31st January 2024. After that, the SAC should form a coalition government, which EAOs have advised, Sao Khun Seng a person who is participating in the peace process, told CNI News.

The emergency period was extended for another six months at the meeting of the National Defense and Security Council that was held on 31st July 2023 under the section. 425 of the constitution.

Although the SAC could extend the emergency period for another six months in accordance with the law, some EAOs advised the SAC to form a coalition government that would contain individuals whom EAOs and political parties have nominated, Sao Khun Seng told CNI News.

" There are two types for the time being. The first one is to extend the emergency period for another six months. Secondly, when the six month period that was extented for the second times expire in February 2024, after the National Defense and Security Council meeting is held, the State power will be handed over to the acting president again. And then, the acting president will form a new government. If possible, the SAC wants to hold a general election. If they can't hold the election, they have to find a way. We can't guess which way they will find. But some EAOs have advised that when the current six month period expires, form a coalition government which will contain individuals whom political parties and EAOs recommend or nominate. And then, the government will have to lay down the federal policies to rule the country. After laying down the federal policies, the government will have to amend or abolish the constitution. And then, if there is a constitution that is agreed by everyone, a general election can be held." said Sao Khun Seng.

Although some EAOs have suggested the chairman of the SAC to form a coalition government, how he would react to the suggestion has not been known yet, said Sao Khun Seng.

Although the SAC has taken the power for almost three years after announcing the state of emergency, it is still weak in making the country stable, said a politician.

Due to the current domestic armed conflicts, the people were facing crises and it was necessary to solve the political problems by political means, U Thar Tun Hla, chairman of the Arakan National Party, told CNI News.

" The SAC has taken the power for almost three years. But the people haven't been able to live peacefully. The SAC needs to understand the sufferings of the whole country. In fact, we are experiencing political problems. So, we need to solve the problems by political means." said U Thar Tun Hla.

The Tatmadaw toppled down the NLD government on 1st February 2021, saying that the NLD was trying to form a government without solving the ballot dispute that took place in the 2020 general election. And then, the Tatmadaw has taken the power after announcing the state of emergency.

And then, the SAC extended two times of six months after one year. Moreover, according to the section-425, it extended two times of six months and it will expire on 31st January 2024. It is not known yet what the SAC will do next.