CNI News

6 September 2025

The National Democratic Force (NDF) and other political parties are facing difficulties in finding enough candidates to meet the required number to contest in the elections, and are also struggling to submit the candidate lists to the Union Election Commission (UEC) within the deadline, said NDF Joint Chairman U Htet Aung Kyaw.

According to the Political Parties Registration Law, political parties must fulfill the required number of members and party offices, and must submit their compliance to the UEC by the deadline of September 7, as announced by the commission on August 20.

The UEC has announced that the first phase of the general election in Myanmar will be held on December 28, 2025.

Currently, the main challenge for all parties is the submission of candidate lists. Due to the limited timeframe given for submission, it has been difficult to meet the required number of candidates and to conduct thorough scrutiny, U Htet Aung Kyaw of the NDF told CNI News.

 Members of the NDF

"Election campaigns will come later. Right now, what all parties are facing is the issue of candidate lists. Not much time was given to submit them. Each party is required to contest at least three constituencies. If a party is competing nationwide, it must contest in at least half of all constituencies. But even though half the constituencies are required, only about 10 days were given for submission. Why is the time frame so restricted? What is the intention behind such a limitation? That’s something worth questioning.", he said.

The UEC has announced that candidate list applications will be scrutinized between September 18 and October 4.

Although their party is able to meet the required number of candidates, U Htet Aung Kyaw explained that the short time frame makes it difficult to properly check and submit the lists, and it feels as though the process has been made deliberately difficult.

 Political parties

"Mainly, requirements such as party offices will be fulfilled. We are confident we can meet and even exceed the required number of candidates. But there are other restrictions. For example, in the past, a person from Puta-O could contest in Kawthaung without issue. Now that’s no longer allowed. These are tight restrictions. Some may have good intentions, but overall it feels like it’s deliberately made difficult. For us, we established our party to work for our country, and that’s why we contest the elections. It is difficult, but under the law we must meet the candidate requirements. If not, then how the authorities will have to decide how to take action?.”, he added.

Under Article 12(a) of the Political Parties Registration Law, if a party fails to mobilize the required number of members or open the required number of offices as set out in Article 5 subsections (c) and (g), it will lose its right to continue as a political party.

Article 12(b) further states that the commission must revoke the registration of any party found to be in breach of Article 12(a) and dissolve that party.

At present, political parties in Myanmar planning to contest the election are facing challenges such as: Difficulty in finding enough candidates, Difficulty in fulfilling office requirement, Financial hardships, Security concerns.

CNI News
5 September 2025

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, stated that the relationship between Myanmar and China is currently at its best.

He made the statement on September 4, 2025, while meeting with Myanmar students studying in Harbin, China.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said, "The relationship between Myanmar and China is currently in the best possible state. I attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit and the military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Chinese people's victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War."

He also expressed his belief that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is an important organization for global peace and development, and that Myanmar will soon become a member of the SCO.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing with Myanmar students in Harbin

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing visited China on August 30, 2025, and held discussions with President Xi Jinping and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng.

He also met and discussed with Chinese-Myanmar business leaders and the Vice-Chancellor of Wuhan University.

During his trip to China, he discussed the Myitsone Dam project, the purchase of electricity from Laos, the reconstruction of the China-India-Myanmar Ledo Road, stability and peace at the border, cooperation in the peace process, China's assistance to Myanmar with satellite technology, and attracting Chinese investment to Myanmar.

China is pressuring the TNLA, MNDAA, and AA, who are engaged in armed conflict to overthrow the Myanmar Tatmadaw led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, to hold talks and cease fighting.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping

In addition, China is pressuring the KIA to stop fighting and hold discussions. China is also supporting the Myanmar Tatmadaw in preventing the KIA's offensive to capture Bhamo.

Similarly, China has expressed support for the election that Senior General Min Aung Hlaing wants to hold and has promised to help organize it. As a result, the election will be held in 102 townships as Part 1 on December 28, 2025.

Military and political analysts point out that the Chinese government does not want the Myanmar central government to collapse, as it would lead to the fragmentation of the country. Therefore, China is supporting the central government and has accepted the view that the current situation in Myanmar should be changed through an election.

CNI News

5 September 2025

The meeting between Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely included matters beyond rare earth minerals, Myanmar political analyst Dr. Aung Myo told CNI News.

He said that if China is important to Myanmar, India is equally important, as India shares a long border stretching from Kachin State to Chin State, making it strategically significant.

“India is already a major industrial nation. Another point is that, historically, India has supported Myanmar without causing harm, always offering assistance. So beyond rare earths, there could be many other issues discussed. For Myanmar, just as it maintains good relations with China, it cannot ignore India. That’s why Senior General Min Aung Hlaing meets not only Chinese President Xi Jinping, but also the Indian Prime Minister—to show that strong ties are being maintained. So I think the discussions went far beyond rare earths.”, said Dr. Aung Myo.

KIA leaders

During his China trip, which began on August 30, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met with Indian Prime Minister Modi and reached agreements on cooperation in rare earth mining and security matters between the two countries.

Currently, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) controls the rare earth mining areas in Kachin State near the Indian border, and collects taxes and revenues from mining and exports, according to military and political analysts.

Rare earths from Myanmar are mined by Chinese companies and exported to China, where India then re-imports them through Chinese suppliers. Analysts say that direct government-to-government cooperation between India and Myanmar could produce positive outcomes.

Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA)

“There are many places in Myanmar where rare earths are found. But most mining operations now are happening near the China border. India currently buys most of its supply from China. If India could buy directly from Myanmar, that would be good for us. Why? Because India would avoid buying through China, and Myanmar could earn significant tax revenues and state income through government-to-government sales. That’s what we hope for.”, Sai Htay Aung, Chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP), told CNI News.

Since rare earth mines in Kachin are already dominated by Chinese operators, analysts point out that if India were to engage in government-to-government mining cooperation, operations could be carried out instead in Sagaing Region.

They also noted that if India were to operate rare earth mines in Sagaing, it would need to negotiate with the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA).

Currently, nearly 300 rare earth mining sites, including those in the Panwar area, are under KIA control inside Kachin State.

CNI News

5 September 2025

As a state leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, was invited to China, and everyone closely watched which world leaders he would meet and hold discussions with during the trip.

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing began his trip to China on August 30, 2025, and attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit held from August 31 to September 1, where he took part in discussions.

On September 3, he also attended the military parade in Beijing commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japan and the World Anti-Fascist War.

During the trip, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, the ASEAN Secretary-General, Kazakh President, as well as other international leaders.

In addition, he met with Chinese and Myanmar business leaders, inviting them to invest in Myanmar. He also held discussions with scholars from Wuhan University regarding providing assistance to Myanmar's satellite technology.

Similarly, agreements on China-Myanmar-India economic cooperation were signed. Other topics discussed included the renovation of the Ledo Road, restarting the Myitsone Dam project, purchasing electricity from Laos, resuming China-Myanmar border trade, strengthening India-Myanmar cooperation in mining and security sectors, and other bilateral relations.

Furthermore, it is reported that China, India, Laos, and other countries expressed their support for the upcoming elections in Myanmar.

CNI News

5 September 2025

Some members of the HPDF-124 group, which operates in the Homalin Township of upper Sagaing Region, were accused of attempting to form a Shanni PDF (People's Defense Force), arrested, and handed over to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), according to local sources.

The leader of the group, Sai Aung, and his members were arrested in August 2025 at Nat Nan Village in Homalin Township by a combined force of around 200 from NUG-affiliated PDFs, People's Administration Teams, and Khamti District Battalion. After their arrest, they were transferred to Kachin State.

Homalin HPDF-124 and the KIA have jointly controlled Nat Nan Village in Homalin Township.

CNI News

5 September 2025

While the State Security and Peace Commission has declared the Karen National Union (KNU) a terrorist organization and an unlawful association, questions are being raised among military and political analysts as to why the Kachin Independence Army/Organization (KIA/KIO) has not received the same designation.

On August 28, 2025, the Commission’s Anti-Terrorism Central Committee formally declared the KNU a terrorist group, and the Ministry of Home Affairs simultaneously declared it an unlawful association.

Although the KIA is not a signatory of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), it still maintains communication channels with the Commission, which could be the reason it has not been designated a terrorist group, Colonel Khun Okkar, Chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO–NCA/S), told CNI News.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and some KNU leaders

“The KIA is not among the NCA signatories, but it was among the groups that drafted the NCA. The KIA has opened a communication channel with the SSPC. Even though fighting continues on one side, because that communication channel remains open, it’s possible that the KIA is not being declared a terrorist group in order to keep it from closing.” he said.

Although the KIA informed the Myanmar Tatmadaw that it was willing to attend peace talks if they were held in Myitkyina, Kachin State, the Tatmadaw has not yet responded, KIA Deputy Commander-in-Chief General Gunmaw told the BBC.

Currently, while the Myanmar Tatmadaw is engaged in battles with the KNU, clashes with the KIA are far more frequent and intense. Moreover, the Tatmadaw has lost many territories to the KIA. This raises questions as to why the government chose to label the KNU — rather than the KIA — as a terrorist group, analysts say.

Lt- Gen Gunmaw, a leader of the KIA

Regarding the elections, the KNU has issued strong oppositional statements rejecting the process, while the KIA has only stated that it will not allow polling stations within its controlled territory. Since the KIA has not explicitly declared that it will sabotage or obstruct the Commission’s planned elections, it may have avoided the terrorist designation, said Sai Htaung Aung, Chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP).

“When asked why, I think it’s because KIA Colonel Naw Bu only said elections cannot be held in their territory. But the KNU went further, strongly denouncing the elections as illegitimate. Their statements were harsher than those of the KIA. That could be one part of the reason. As far as I know, the KIA is skilled at playing both the political and military fronts. They assess the central government’s situation carefully. When the government is weak, they apply military pressure; when the government is strong, they engage in peace talks. The KIA has operated that way across generations.” he said.

The Commission has designated 18 townships across six districts — Myitkyina, Tanai, Chipwi, Bhamo, Putao, and Mohnyin — as constituencies for elections. Among them, Chipwi, Sawlaw, Sumprabum, Mansi, Momauk, and Injanyang are under KIA control.

CNI News

4 September 2025

In Myanmar, the rare earth mining industry is currently dominated by Chinese companies and the Chinese market. Analysts in military and political affairs are now debating which regions India might be able to enter if it were to begin rare earth mining in Myanmar.

During the Chairman of Myanmar’s State Security and Peace Commission’s trip to China, he also met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the two agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas including rare earth mining and security.

Since the rare earth deposits along the China–Myanmar border in Kachin State are already controlled by Chinese operators, political analyst Dr. Aung Myo told CNI News that if India were to pursue rare earth mining through a government-to-government (G to G) agreement, it would most likely do so in Sagaing Region.

“Especially in the northwest part of Myanmar, which has not yet been extensively explored — the upper areas where Kachin State borders Sagaing Region. In particular, the towns and villages along the route where Japanese forces advanced through the Inpha–Kohima corridor during World War II, such as Pansaung, Mawlike, and Homalin. India could connect to those areas to explore rare earth deposits. It’s possible we don’t yet know the full extent of the reserves there. Such locations would certainly interest India. That’s why I believe this issue was discussed with Myanmar’s Acting President. If rare earths are to be transported out of Myanmar, it would be through the Inpha–Kohima and Tamu routes. Although there isn’t yet major trade between the two countries, there are strong cross-border ties between peoples — across India’s Assam, Nagaland, and Mizoram states that border Myanmar.” he said.

Rare earth mining site

Just last month, reports emerged that the U.S. is also showing interest in Myanmar’s rare earth resources. Following this, the BBC reported that India has committed to repairing and reopening the World War II “Ledo Road” (also known as the Stilwell Road), which had been used for wartime transport, so that it could again be used for trade.

That road runs from Ledo in India through the upper Sagaing Region and Kachin State in Myanmar, extending all the way to Kunming in China. It was abandoned in November 1945, after the end of the war, and remains unused today.

Although Sagaing Region borders India, Sai Htay Aung, Chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP), told CNI News that if mining were to take place in the Panwa area, it would be close to India.

While seeing rare earth and armed group

“As for which areas are possible — I’ve heard there are potential sites in Sagaing. Sagaing is very close to India. Panwa is geographically closer to China, but with improved transport routes, it could be linked to India in a single day. The Stilwell Road that was used to reach India back in the past, which already has good road infrastructure on the Indian side. Only the Myanmar side remains underdeveloped. That road is expected to be repaired again, so it’s possible that it could also be used for rare earth transport. Myanmar has quite a lot of rare earth–bearing areas. If rare earths were mined in Panwa today, it would also be close to India.” he said.

Currently, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) controls rare earth–producing areas including Panwa, where nearly 300 rare earth mining sites are located. Before the KIA took control, Myanmar was exporting rare earths to China. According to Chinese customs data, in September 2024, 4,200 tons of rare earth were exported to China. During clashes in Chipwi and Panwa between October and December of that year, over 3,300 tons were still exported.

At present, rare earth mining operations and revenues in Kachin State remain under KIA control. Similarly, in Shan State, rare earth mining areas are controlled by the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA).

CNI News

4 September 2025

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, said that Myanmar wishes to participate under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to cooperate on regional security and the development of modern technologies.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing made these remarks during his discussion at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization - SCO Summit 2025 Plus, held at the Tianjin Meijiang Convention Center in Tianjin, China, from August 31 to September 1, 2025.

He stated that in the security sector, the SCO has been actively cooperating in counter-terrorism efforts, and he has witnessed effective successes in fighting the threats of terrorism, separatism, and extremism in the current era.

While Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was attending the SCO Summit on September 1, 2025

He also mentioned that since the organization is focused on collaborating on modern technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology for data governance, member countries are benefiting from technological advancements. He also said he saw potential for collective defense against future technology-based attacks.

He said, "Myanmar wishes to participate under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to cooperate on regional security and the development of modern technologies."

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing expressed his support for Chinese President Xi Jinping's five-point Global Governance Initiatives (GGI) and earnestly requested support for Myanmar to become a member state of the SCO.

Afterward, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met and discussed with other leaders who attended the SCO summit, including the Prime Minister of Malaysia, the President of Mongolia, the Prime Minister of Nepal, the ASEAN Secretary-General, the SCO Secretary-General, and the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

CNI News

3 September 2025

Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, said that the Tatmadaw is striving to continue firmly on the path of multi-party democracy desired by the people.

He made the statement on September 2, 2025, during a meeting with families from the Myanmar Embassy and Military Attaché Office, as well as students, at the Myanmar Embassy in Beijing, China.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing stated that since gaining independence, Myanmar has followed various political and economic systems. He said that the Tatmadaw held a multi-party democratic general election in 2010 to put the country on the path of multi-party democracy.

He further noted that the Tatmadaw is working to ensure the stability of the multi-party democratic system and has also been striving for internal peace, as peace is essential for implementing a democratic system.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said, "As members of the Tatmadaw are part of the people, and the Tatmadaw is part of the state, the Tatmadaw is striving to continue firmly on the multi-party democratic path desired by the people."

He mentioned that they are making preparations to hold an election this December and are working to ensure that all eligible voters can cast their votes. He stated that the election will be held in phases based on the stability and peace of each region. He also noted that the Myanmar Electronic Voting Machine (MEVM) system will be used to prevent errors in voter lists.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing added that candidates running in the election should be educated. He said that when the election is held, it is important to be able to elect representatives who can benefit the nation and their respective regions.

In Myanmar, Phase 1 of the election will be held on December 28, 2025, in 102 townships, with the remaining constituencies holding elections in January 2026.

He concluded by stating that power will be transferred to the winning political party, and the Tatmadaw will continue to perform its duty of defense.