CNI News

9 Nov 2022

Sticking to the results of the 2020 general election, in which the National League to Democracy won the majority of seats, is inconducive to negotiations even if the ASEAN and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi could hold discussions, Political Analyst U Ye Tun told the CNI.

The NLD issued a statement on 8th November saying it believes that the current crisis can only be resolved by holding discussions between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all envoys for Myanmar including the ASEAN special envoy.

U Ye Tun told the CNI, “After holding the discussions, the situation may change positively depending on the points of view of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on the ongoing armed conflict and the election announced by the SAC. Some political parties seem to accept the elections and if the NLD accepts them, the situation may change positively. If the party rejects the elections and sticks to the results of the 2020 elections, it is impossible to negotiate. The military will pursue its own agenda.”

He added that the NLD seemed to have released the statement over the issues in 2021 and ethnic issues must be resolved in the long run.

The NLD called for world leaders to give priority to the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners.

  Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

It is more viable to resolve the political crisis through political dialogues of all stakeholders, Spokesperson Naing Shwe Than of the Mon Unity Party told the CNI.

He told the CNI, “Dialogues of all stakeholders are more viable to resolve the current crisis. It is necessary for us to engage in negotiations without any prejudice. If Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is released and negotiations are held, it is more viable to resolve the crisis through dialogue.”The military ousted the NLD government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on 1st February, 2021 after accusing it of forming a new government without settling voters’ list disputes and detained some NLD leaders including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint.

CNI News

8 Nov 2022

Dialogue between the State Administration Council and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will not be able to resolve the current political crisis, Spokesperson Salai Timmy of the Chin National Defence Force told the CNI.

He pointed out that ethnic leaders and other organizations must also be invited to the dialogue.

Salai Timmy told the CNI, “As ethnic leaders want to build a federal democracy union, they are not likely to accept the situation under the DASSK government. So, the dialogue between the SAC and DASSK will not resolve the current crisis.”

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Gen Mutu Say Poe. (AFP)

The current political crisis in Myanmar cannot be resolved by the dialogue between only two individuals, Chairman U Thar Tun Hla of the Arakan National Party told the CNI.

He said, “It also depends on the attitude of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. However, the current political crisis in Myanmar cannot be resolved by the dialogue between only two individuals. The political issues that have gripped Myanmar since independence involve equality, self-determination and the right to decide their own political destiny of ethnic peoples. I think priority must be given to these issues. So, the dialogue between them will be only a part of the crisis.”

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced to 26 years in prison under the Official Secret Act, the Natural Disaster Management Law, the Election Law and other laws but is still facing five charges of corruption.

Members of the KNDF launching the Spring Revolution to topple the military.

Chairman Dr Aye Maung of the Arakan Front Party told the CNI, “Whether the dialogue between the two is possible or not depends on the support of the ASEAN and how the SAC accesses the situation. The SAC seems to be preparing for such dialogue because they have handled the cases of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is different from other cases. They are trying to push the legal proceedings against her to complete so quickly that all charges against her are likely to be decided in the second week of November. After all legal proceedings against her have been completed, the SAC is likely to make a bargain with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi before the 75th Anniversary of the Independence Day. If the latter thinks she is also responsible for stability and peace of the country, they might hold talks. If she was to be released, they could cooperate for the stability and peace of the country.”

Pro-democracy protesters. (Frontier Myanmar)

Talks participated by all federal democracy forces can pave the way for sustainable peace, Spokesperson Col Saw Kyaw Nyunt of the Peace Process Steering Team told the CNI.

He said, “We understand that ethnic political parties as well as ethnic armed organizations have demanded all-inclusive talks to build a federal union. If we cannot invite all important figures, there might be weaknesses. If we are to build a federal union, all federal and democratic forces must find a solution together through dialogues so that we can pave the way that can guarantee sustainable peace.”

Since the military staged a coup on 1st February, 2021, Myanmar has been engulfed by armed conflicts and political protests.

Since then, the country has faced political, economic, social, health and education crises.

CNI News

8 Nov 2022

U Khin Yee, the chairman of the Union Solidarity and Development Party said that the party would protect its members even if his life is in danger.

He made the comment at a ceremony to issue membership cards to 518 new party members held in Tatkon Township on 3rd November, 2022, according to his official Facebook page.

USDP Chairman U Khin Yee meets new party members on 3rd November, 2022.

He said, “We will protect our party as much as possible. Regardless of the dangers we might face, we will stand up for our party members. This is the message I want to give you.”

Then, he promised to develop a new form of public relations that reflects the will of the people in the future of the party.

Since the political crisis that started on 1st February, 2021, over 2,000 USDP members have been killed and party members are under life threats.

CNI News

4 Nov 2022

Although Myanmar exports macadamia seed to China every year, the country has not been able to export the seed to its neighbour due to transportation issues, according to the Myanmar Macadamia Association.

China offered to import macadamia seeds from Myanmar but the country has not been able to export macadamia seed due to instabilities along the transportation route, Vice Chairman U Win Aung of the association told the CNI.

 A border gate between China and Myanmar. (CGTN)

He said, “We can’t do anything. China frequently closes its border gates. It was also impossible to export the seeds to Thailand due to instabilities and other problems. When transportation routes to Thailand were reopened, Thai merchants wanted to import ground seeds. We want to export the seeds to China and Chinese merchants want to import the seeds but the route has not been reopened. So, we have started selling the seeds to Thailand.

One ton of macadamia seed fetches as much as MMK 4 million. However, merchants have not been able to export the seeds for three years due to COVID-19 and instabilities.

A border gate between Thailand and Myanmar.

Although Thailand wants to import macadamia seeds from Myanmar, farmers have not been able to do so as they do not have standard mills to grind the seeds, U Tun Lin, a macadamia farmer in Ywargnan told the CNI.

He told the CNI, “They do not want to grind the seeds by themselves and prefer to import the seed endosperms. Endosperms of seeds fetch higher prices but it is difficult for us to grind the seeds. We can get less than 300 Kg endosperms from one ton of the seeds. As we do not have standard grinding machines, the endosperms were broken and we suffered losses. So, no one can export the seeds to Thailand.”

   Myanmar macadamia fruits and farmers. (Myanmar Nuts Macadamia)

Currently, macadamia seeds are being distributed to local markets and it is popular among the public because it is beneficial for skin health.

In October, Myanmar exhibited its macadamia seed at a trade fair in France and was able to attract buyers, according to the Myanmar Fruits and Flowers Producers and Merchants Association.

About 300,000 acres of macadamia is grown in Pyin Oo Lwin in Mandalay Region and Ywarngan, Lawksawk and Nawngkhio in Shan State and farmers are expanding the total acreage. Myanmar produces 10,000 tons of macadamia seed annually.

CNI News

4 Nov 2022

To attract domestic and foreign tourists, an ethnic traditional food fair will be organized in Shan State (North) in November, Chairman U Zaw Zaw of the Shan State (North) Hoteliers Association told the CNI.

The ethnic traditional food fair is the first of its kind to be organized in Shan State (North) and is an effort to attract tourists, whose arrivals to the area have been falling since the outbreak of COVID-19 and the political crisis.

U Zaw Zaw told the CNI, “In the past, the tourism industry focused on foreign tourists. As their arrivals have dropped for some time, the fair is also targeted at domestic tourists while foreign tourists are also welcomed. In 2019, our hoteliers association organized an exhibition of traditional costumes, traditions and utensils of ethnic groups on the Union Day. At that time, most of the visitors were Chinese tourists.

An archway to Lashio.

Myaungzi, Wa, Lahu, Lisu, Kokant, Palaung, Shan and Kachin ethnic groups took part in the exhibition. All these ethnic groups can also be found in Yunnan Province, China. So, the wanted to study the traditions of them in comparison with the traditions of their ethnic groups. The exhibition was very successful. The food fair will also be a success, if foreign tourists visit the fair. I think a lot of domestic tourists will come to the fair.”
Although the date for the fair has not been fixed, the fair will be organized for only one day at the Lashio Townhall, he added.

Ten ethnic groups including Shan, Kachin, Lisu, Bamar, Myaungzi, Wa, Palaung, Lahu, Manwun (Bamar) and Kokant will participate in the fair and each ethnic group will prepare at least three kinds of traditional food for 100 people to serve visitors.

Deputy Director U Sithu Kyaw of Shan State Directorate of Hotels and Tourism told the CNI, “When we travel to ethnic areas, we want to try their local foods. When we travel to Shan State, we want to try traditional Shan foods. We usually ask local people what kind of local food is unique. In Shan State (North), their local traditional foods are unique. So, we need to make them known to people from other regions and states. Although such fairs are not popular in our country, gastronomy travels and tourism are popular in other countries. People travel and try local foods. It is a chance for people who are interested in local traditional foods.”

Tourists in Hsipaw in Shan State.

He added that he had informed tour companies and operators of the fair and will invite domestic and foreign tourists to study local traditional foods.

Prior to the pandemic, Shan State (North), especially Hsipaw, was a popular destination for domestic and foreign tourists.

Plans are underway to arrange package tours to waterfalls in the areas and the tourism industry will be able to make some progress when the political situation has changed positively, according to the hoteliers association.

The Tazaungdaing Festival has been scheduled for 4th to 7th November and entertainment, free meals and hot-air balloon launches have been arranged.

CNI News

3 Nov 2022

China is wary of dealing with a US-proxy in its backyard, Chairman Dr Aye Maung of the Arakan Front Party told the CNI.

He also added that China seems to prefer economic and military stability in Myanmar and does not want to see it disintegrate into pieces.

He told the CNI, “From the Chinese perspective, the two countries share a very long border and it prefers political, economic and military stability in Myanmar. It does not want to see its neighbour disintegrate into pieces. It is for its interests and it is wary of dealing with a US-proxy in its backyard. So, China supports the stability and non-disintegration of Myanmar. When it tries to reunify Myanmar, it needs to review the root cause of the problem because the SAC is in power at present.”

UWSA leader Bao Youxiang and Sun Guoxiang. (AFP)

Currently, Myanmar is engulfed by armed conflicts and has faced political, economic, social, health and education crises.

Political Analyst Dr Aung Myo told the CNI that he thinks the Kachin Independence Army and the Shan State Restoration Council are closed to the US and China is worried about the issues.

He said, “The KIA has been a US sympathizer since the second world war. I think China has just come to understand that. So, the KIA cannot be allowed to get more powerful. Yawd Serk of the SSRC/SSA is also a US sympathizer. As a result, I think China is wary of them. I hope that the Chinese government can adopt correct policies on these issues.”

    Chinese special envoy Sun Guoxiang and Gen N’ban La of the KIA in Mai Jaryan in July, 2016.

China is worried that Myanmar refugees will spill into its territory and stability in Myanmar is in China’s interests, he added.

The two countries share a 1,300-mile-long border, where the RCSS, the KIA, the Shan State Progressive Party/SSA, the United Wa State Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Palaung People Liberation Front/TNLA are active in the border area.

CNI News

3 Nov 2022

As there are advantages and disadvantages in holding the Overseas Worker Identity Cards, Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand should take the issue seriously, labour activists for Myanmar workers in Thailand told the CNI.

The Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok announced that it will issue OWIC cards for those who renew their passport for jobs as of 7th November.

Labour Activist U Min Oo of the FED told the CNI, “It is a hard choice. If workers face problems like worksite accidents and lawsuits, they need recommendations from the embassy. So, when they hold OWICs, the embassy has their personal data and can help them effectively. On the other hand, their personal security has been breached as the junta embassy has stored all their data. There are advantages as well as disadvantages. So, migrant workers will have to make their own decisions on the matter by taking it seriously. Therefore, we do not urge them to do so. They will have to make their own decisions.”

The TDCC office in Maha Chiang.

The OWIDs will carry the address and phone numbers of the families of workers, who are required to pay the embassy Baht 800 for passports for job and another Baht 250 for OWICs, according to the statement of the embassy.

Moreover, those who have renewed their passports for a job as of September, 2021 are required to submit their passports at the TCDD office in Maha Chiang together with Baht 250 for the OWICs, which will be issued within one day.

Although it is a convenient arrangement for workers nearby, it is difficult for workers from other parts to come to the office, Labour Activist for Myanmar workers in Thailand told the CNI.

He said, “It is convenient for Myanmar workers in Maha Chaing but it would cost a lot of money for Myanmar workers in other parts of Thailand to travel to the office. Another factor is that the government of Thailand does not recognize OWICs. So, migrant workers are required to apply for work permits. So, it is just a system that will cost Myanmar workers a lot of money because they will have to pay more to agents and the embassy.”

As the majority of Myanmar migrant workers have to rely on agents whenever they are required to apply for new documents, they will have to pay much more than the fees collected by the embassy, labour activists told the CNI.

  People applying for passports.

Myanmar migrant workers are required to submit addresses of their families in Myanmar together with their names and phone numbers and the name of their overseas job agencies.

The Ministry of Labour announced in June that Myanmar migrant workers are required to apply for OWICs, which are valid for five years.

CNI News

3 Nov 2022

As the lockdown has been imposed in Ruili and Wanding, Chinese merchant are not able to import monsoon watermelons from Myanmar and the fruit export market has collapsed in Myanmar, according to the fruit commodity exchange in Muse.

The export market for monsoon watermelons has collapsed in Myanmar due to lockdowns in China, Owner U Sai Khin Maung of Khwarnyo Fruit Warehouse told the CNI.

He told the CNI, “It is difficult to predict the situation. If the lockdown is imposed for a long time, Chinese merchants will not be able to come to us and the border trade market will collapse. Only after the lockdown has been lifted, will we be able to trade as usual. The Chinese government is imposing lockdowns repeatedly. So, we will have to rely on the local market.”

Watermelon farmers also said that they have to sell their fruits to local markets like Thiri Mingalar Market and Danyingone Market.

   A China-Myanmar border trade gate.

Merchants can get as much as Yuan 60,000 or MMK 18 million for a truckload of watermelons (17 tons) to export watermelons to China, they get only MMK 3 million for a truckload in the local market.
Watermelon farmers are suffering losses, Ko Thitsar, a watermelon farmer from Sagaing Region, told the CNI.

He said, “If we sell watermelons to China, we get two to three Yuan per kilo. If our fruits meet the quality standards set by Chinses authorities, we get high prices. In the domestic market, we have to sell in terms of quantity whether it is small or big. When we sold a truckload of watermelons, we got Yuan 60,000 (MMK 18 million). In the domestic market, we get only MMK 3 to 3.5 million for a truckload of watermelons. We had to invest MMK 4.5 million but we got only MMK 3.5 million for our fruits. So, we are suffering losses.”

   A watermelon plantation.

At present, only one or two truckloads of watermelons could be exported to China and merchants were struggling to cover the transportation charges, according to merchants.

Watermelon exporters suffer losses every year depending on the policies of Chinese authorities.

To solve such issues, Myanmar merchants and farmers want to export watermelons to China under the G-to-G agreements.

   Watermelon truck heading to China.

The total acreage of watermelons in Myanmar dropped this year due to higher costs of inputs and instabilities in some regions.

As the export market of the fruit has collapsed, farmers will further decrease the acreage of watermelons to one-third of the previous year in the upcoming season, according to farmers.

While total acreage has dropped, the yield has fallen by 60 percent, according to them.

CNI News

3 Nov 2022

Whether Daw Aung San Suu Kyi could help overcome the current crisis in Myanmar is a hotly debated issue in the local political circle and in the international community.

Some politicians still believe that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi could help resolve the current political crisis while others think dialogues involving all stakeholders is the only way to overcome it.

The fact that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been in prison reflects the weaknesses in resolving political issues through political means, Chairman U Thar Tun Hla of the Arakan National Party told the CNI.

  Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Gen Mutu Say Poe and Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing. (AFP)

He said, “Whether the crisis could be overcome if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi brokered a deal depends on the how she would do it. It is just wishful thinking because she has been imprisoned. It would be difficult to realize the idea because the current crisis was caused by weaknesses in resolving political issues through political means. Therefore, it mainly depends on whether there is the will to solve political issues through political means.”

At present Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced to 26 years in prison under the Official Secret Act, the Natural Disaster Management Law, the Election Law and the Anti-corruption Law but she is still facing five more charges on corruption.

There is no chance for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to help resolve the current crisis, Advocate U Kyee Myint told the CNI.

He said, “First of all, she has no chance to help resolve the crisis because the military will accept nothing but appointing its chief as the president of the country. He cares no one including the UN and the ASEAN. He will hold the election in accordance with his policy and will become the president by holding the elections phase by phase, first in Yangon Region and then in Mandalay Region. It doesn’t matter for him whether the elections are internationally recognized or not and he will hold elections to save face and to make himself the president of the country through whatever means he has. If he cannot do that, he will set the entire country on fire and will flee. He will never give a chance to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to take an important role. That is exactly what the military is doing. We have nothing to talk about the military because it has done everything to destroy the country. If the NUG cannot prove their words by their deeds, the country will suffer more.”

Supporters of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

To resolve political issues through political means, it is important to create an environment conducive to inclusive dialogues, Spokesperson Comrade Aye Lwin of the ABSDF told the CNI.

He said, “Based on 34 years’ experience of our organization, we adopted a policy to resolve political issues through political means. So, we took part in political dialogues. Our organization has never had a policy to resolve political issues through an individual leader. I would like to reiterate that our policy is to resolve political issues through inclusive political means.”

The military staged a coup on 1st February, 2021 after ousting the National League for Democracy Government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by accusing it of forming a new government without settling voters’ list disputes. Since then, it has detained leaders of the NLD including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Win Myint.

As a result, street protests emerged and armed conflicts have erupted, causing political, economic, social, health and education crises in the country.