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CNI News
22 May 2024
The State Administration Council (SAC) would be supporting the one China policy without recognizing Taiwan as a country, stated Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of the SAC on the night of 20th May 2024.
After Taiwanese presidential election was held, vice president Lai Ching-te was elected and as Taiwan's new president, the swearing-in ceremony was held on May 20. Regarding the above situation, the SAC reported that it supported the one China policy only without recognizing Taiwan as a country.
" Myanmar has no diplomatic relation with Taiwan and it hasn't recognized Taiwan as a country. Myanmar is a country that has strongly supported the one China policy since the founding of the People's Republic of China. We will continue to strongly support it." said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun.
While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Chinese Special Envoy Deng Xijun
Myanmar is one of the countries that first recognized and endorsed the People's Republic of China since it was established in 1949. Kuomintang (Chinese Nationalist) troops that fled from China to Burma in 1950 after their defeat by the Chinese communists in the Chinese Civil War were fought against and expelled by the Myanmar Tatmadaw in eleven operations, said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun.
" The People's Republic of China and Myanmar are strategic partner countries and Myanmar is a good friend neighboring country that has always maintained a pauk-phaw (kinsfolk) relationship for China. Kuomintang troops invaded Myanmar and prepared to fight back against the Chinese communists after their defeat in the Chinese civil war. These Kuomintang troops were crushed down by the Myanmar Tatmadaw in 11 operations in 1953. The US supported Kuomintang troops." he said.
While Lai Ching-te was swearing in as the new Taiwanese president on 20th May 2024
The People's Republic of China has said that Taiwan is its territory and if necessary, the PRC will attack and occupy Taiwan militarily.
China is putting pressure on Taiwan by making jet fighters fly near Taiwan islands, sending warships to pass near the islands and conducting military exercises near Taiwan.
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CNI News
21 May 2024
Insuring one percent on one acre loan for rainy season agricultural cost would be implemented starting from 1st June and the insurance system could lead to controversy, said farmers.
Myanma Agricultural Development Bank has designated to lend farmers 150,000 kyats per acre and climate index based crop insurance system would be used so that when farmers could not repay loans as natural disaster hurt farms, the bank could compensate it, reportedly.
When the crops were damaged due to bad weather, because controversies could arise in compensation, decision-making bodies needed to be impartial, U Thein Aung, chairman of the Farmers Development Association, told CNI News.
" If the decision was made based on inches of rainfall one year round, rainfall inches within July for example were more than normal, but rainfall inches within one year is not too much different. In the situation like this, how will the decision be made? Although one percent is not a big amount, as the whole country, it can be a big amount. In fact, I don't know about it thoroughly. But what I have understood is that the system could lead to controversy. The organizations that will make a decision need to be impartial." he said.
While farmers were drawing loans
Instead of crop insurance system, it would be beneficial if the government subsidized the farmers whose farms were damaged due to natural disaster or it gave another loan, which were included in the law imposed to protect and promote the interests of farmers, said farmers.
He was worried that the system would work only for the interests of the insurance companies, rather than protecting farmers from a lot of losses, added U Thein Aung.
“Law for the Protection and Promotion of Farmers' Interests was imposed on 8th October, 2013 to make the State subsidize the farmers whose farms were damaged due to the natural disaster. It would be enough if the amount of loan the same as that of the crop insurance system, 150,000 kyats per acre, was lent to the farmers whose farms were really damaged due to the natural disaster. I'm worried that the system will work for the interests of insurance companies rather than protecting farmers from a lot of losses." he said.
While seeing farmers
Farmers had not known about the crop insurance system thoroughly as yet and it was necessary to be a system that farmers agreed and accepted, U Soe Khine, a farmer from Ayeyarwady Region, told CNI News.
" According to the crop insurance system, if 150,000 kyats per acre was lent, must farmers pay 1,500 kyats for crop insurance? How much will they pay for an acre of land drowned? In any case, if a farmer insures his farms, it will be better if he accepts or relies on that. We don't want that every farmer must insure." he said.
Myanmar Insurance Enterprise and Myanma Agricultural Development Bank cooperated and carried out a weather index based crop insurance system in Yangon, Bago and Ayeyarwady Regions as a pilot project when agricultural loans were issued for the cold season.
The current weather based crop insurance system would be carried out in the entire country reportedly.
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CNI News
20 May 2024
Employers in China were exploiting Myanmar workers who came through the China-Myanmar border by not fully paying, the philanthropic associations in Muse told CNI News.
Although some factories originally had said that they would pay 2,000 yuan per month to workers, the workers were not fully paid on the payday.
Moreover, workers who entered China with one time use border pass were threatened by employers, U Sein Hla Aung, vice chairman of Kanlet Kunyi philanthropic association, told CNI News.
"Myanmar workers went to the Chinese side in a way all employees of a garment factory in Yangon went there. They were all taken to the factories. Chinese employers told Myanmar workers that they would pay 2,000 yuan (about 1,000,000 kyats) per month. Myanmar workers were gradually underpaid from 1,800, 1,600 to 1,000 yuan. Residence permit of Myanmar workers is illegal. They had to enter the Chinses side with the one week border pass cards. When the Chinese employers said to Myanmar workers,If you don't accept, you can leave. But as soon as some workers who were not satisfied with left the factory, the employers called the police and asked to arrest the workers and then these workers were sent back to Myanmar." he said.
While seeing a departmental office in Jiegao, China
Although 2,000 yuan has been designated as the basic salary in China, some workers are underpaid reportedly. Although being underpaid existed in China since before, these incidences are more and more at present.
Most of Myanmar workers who are working on the Chinese side entered with temporary border pass (TBP) cards and many of them are working in China as overstayers, according to philanthropic associations.
Because there have been an increase in the number of people staying as overstayers, Chinese authorities are arresting illegal residents and sending 100 people back to Myanmar every day, an official from Beautiful Heart philanthropic association, told CNI News.
While seeing those who were waiting to go to Jiegao, China
" The Chinese authorities are arresting overstayers and the people who sneaked in. The authorities often jail those who sneaked in for 9 or 10 months and then they are sent back." he said.
About 300 Myanmar people in Muse are leaving for the Chinses side each day with TBPs and red books, Moreover, bride trafficking market for Chinese men which gives incentives to Myanmar women that they will get jobs is getting bigger reportedly.
So, if Chinese employers guaranteed Myanmar workers that they would offer jobs, the workers should not go to China with TBPs and their guarantees should not be trusted, suggested philanthropic associations.
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CNI News
20 May 2024
China has suspended importing Myanmar watermelon through Myla border trade post in northern Shan State, according to watermelon traders.
Although China has suspended importing Myanmar watermelon to import mango and sugarcane in time, Myanmar watermelon season has ended, Ko Thitsar, a watermelon trader, told CNI News.
" China has temporarily suspended importing Myanmar watermelon from the Myla border gate. China announced in advance when it would suspend importing watermelon. Because we requested to extend another week, it allowed. At present, watermelons also are almost no more. China is worried that traffic jams will take place at the main gate. China has given mango the green line status. It mainly wants to import mango and sugarcane." he said.
Because of difficult transportation and so high truck rental fee, watermelon traders and farmers made losses reportedly. As watermelon export to China has been suspended, mango export has become more convenient and truck rental fees have been saved by half, U Sai Khin Maung, owner of Khwar Nyo fruit broker's sales center, told CNI News.
While seeing Myanmar mangoes
" The watermelon market was not good. Traders and growers made losses. The cost was so high. But now mango exports will be promising. The truck rental fees have been saved by half. We can't export mango a lot. We can export between 30 and 50 tons a day." he said.
Although Myanmar watermelons were being exported to China through the Kyin San Kyawt-Wan Tein border trade in the past, because of battles in northern Shan State, they were exported through Myla border trade reportedly. However, it took too long on the way and truck rental fees were skyrocketing. So, traders and watermelon growers made losses reportedly.
Myanmar watermelons are mainly exported to China from October to May and in 2023, Myanmar exported over 100,000 tons of watermelon to China reportedly.
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CNI News
18 May 2024
Because men who will go abroad to work have been restricted by the government, illegal border crossing and human trafficking markets could grow bigger, those who are helping migrant workers, told CNI News.
Among the men who will go abroad to work, men between 23 and 31 have been banned from working abroad. Due to restrictions like that, the illegal market can grow bigger and legal agencies that send workers abroad could turn into illegal agencies, Ko Naing Naing Aung, director of the Thai based Arakan Workers Organization, told CNI News.
" When legitimacy is limited, illegality becomes a market. Costs can increase. Threats can arise in various ways. Legal brokers can change into illegal brokers. Illegal brokers can get worse, that is to say, an illegal market can arise. Legal agencies can become illegal ones." he said.
Because Myanmar youths who wanted to go abroad were so many since before the restriction, Myanmar youths illegally enter neighboring countries everyday. Because the restriction has been laid down now, youths will try to go abroad in any way, according to those who are helping migrant workers.
While seeing workers who will go abroad
However,because neighboring countries have tightened their border security, it would be more difficult to illegally enter neighboring countries, U Nyi Nyi Lwin, director of the Center for Arakan Refugees, told CNI News.
" The restriction becomes an opportunity for human trafficking gangs that are operating with many million dollars. In fact, they have been operating with bribery for two decades or so. It is not easy to stop these gangs. A few people who are trafficked could be arrested." he said.
Permission to work abroad for men has been temporarily suspended since 1st May and one week later, although demand letters from abroad were accepted, it was accepted with age limit only.
Instead of restricting men like that, job opportunities should be created within the country, pointed out those who are helping migrant workers.
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CNI News
18 May 2024
Rakhine politicians and domestic politicians are reviewing how the State Administration Council (SAC) and the Arakan Army (AA) will resolve the issue of Bangali people.
The issue of Bangalis has taken place more widely since early this year and some people are worried that a communal clash will arise.
The issue has existed since Myanmar gained her independence and to be able to resolve the issue depends on the SAC and the AA, Dr.Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), told CNI News.
" The AA that is fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Buthidaung and Maungdaw seems to be organizing Bangali people and at the same time the Myanmar Tatmadaw is giving military training to Bangali people as militias. If they are recruited in accordance with the People's Military Service Law, they will be granted citizen rights. If so, the SAC will guesstimate the possible future of Rakhine State and Myanmar, and so will the AA and the Rakhine people will estimate as well. There are so many Bengali people in northern Rakhine State such as Buthidaung and Maungdaw. It also depend on how one side will decisively win the other side." he said.
While seeing Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun
Because of the Myanmar Tatmadaw's clearance operations in 2017, about 750,000 Bengali people fled to Bangladesh, according to the Myanmar immigration department.
However, the number of Bengali people who fled to Bangladesh was above 1.2 million, said in the statistics of international organizations.
In relation to that incidence, international community imposed sanctions on the Myanmar Tatmadaw and prosecuted it at the International Court of Justice as well.
The group was always making an effort to get northern Rakhine State. The current issue arose due to the political landscape, U Tun Aung Kyaw, member of the policy steering committee of the Arakan National Party, told CNI news.
While seeing the AA was taking Bengalis away from the battle
" This is not a new issue. When Britain retreated from Myanmar and Japan started invading Myanmar, undesirable big problems took place under the leadership of the people who wanted northern Rakhine State. There were even genocides in 1942. The problem has started since 1942." he said.
The Tatmadaw, government and security forces never started any communal conflict and it was started by ethnic groups, Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of the SAC.
"The government, security forces, the Tatmadaw and government employees never started every communal conflict. Ethnic people only started. The communal conflicts had to be resolved by the government, security forces and governments. So, the government or security forces never agitated to arise a communal conflict because they would be too busy. And they have to take responsibility and accountability a lot. At present the AA is conducting to become a racial conflict." he said.
At present, Bengali people are protesting against the AA and the AA also is accusing the Myanmar Tatmadaw of exploding Bengali people.
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CNI News
18 May 2024
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation is drafting a law to designate gold trading as an important service industry, according to the Yangon Region Gold Entrepreneurs Association (YGEA).
In order to take action against rising domestic gold price and selling gold at incorrect prices, the government carried out to restore the gold market by designating gold trading as an important service industry, U Myo Myint, chairman of the YGEA, told CNI News.
" The law is being drafted. The law is coming out soon to designate gold trading as an important service industry. Brokers who work by phone or digital platform will be taken action against. Some gold shops sell gold at an incorrect prices. The law will applies penalties such as prison terms. If the has been approved, gold shops must comply with the law. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation is drafting the law. Punishment will seemingly be added to existing instructions."
If the law came out, speculation of gold prices and gold price volatility would die out and gold speculators would be taken action against under the law, said gold entrepreneurs.
Because the authorities have controlled gold shops and gold entrepreneurs regarding gold trading for various reasons, gold shops are selling gold at a different price on voucher reportedly. Moreover, some people are selling illegally and there are also cross-border Illegal exports of gold.
The law may impact on gold contraband trades or gold black market for a while, Ko Nay Khant, a gold market analyst, told CNI News.
" There will be impact because the government will impose a law. But in my opinion, I think the negative effect is more because a thing that should not be controlled will be controlled. It is useful for a while. It won't be convenient in the long run. Mainly, it can affect the black market. Gold trading can stop in cities for a moment. But later trading will be conducted again." he said.
Domestic gold prices hit record highs and pure gold is over 490,000 kyats per tical.
According to the current domestic situation, officials are not in a position to put pressure on the gold market, pointed out gold market analysts and entrepreneurs.
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CNI News
17 May 2024
Most IDPs from Loikaw have not been able to go home according to the security condition, a Loikaw IDP told CNI News.
It was impossible for 80 percent of Loikaw IDPs to go home and their houses and motorcycles were also burnt and damaged, he said.
" It's impossible for us to enter Liokaw because battles are breaking out every so often. In my opinion, it's not safe to enter Loikaw. Those who lived in the wards, downtown area don't come back. Even if one side decisively won the other side, how can they go home because their housed are no more. The houses had been burned down. Some of the people who lived in the outskirts of the city went back. Some of the who went home has returned because the battles were breaking out." said a Loikaw IDP.
While seeing the KNDF Force
Because the battles stop, if IDPs go home, the mines have not been cleared. No one will take responsibility for civilian casualties caused by mines, he added. After Karenni evolutionary forces launched Operation-1111, battles severely broke out in Loikaw and residents of the city fled to safety.
In the operation are included the Karenni Army (KA), the Karenni National Defense force (KNDF), the Karenni National People's Liberation Front (KNPLF), the Demoso People's Defense Force (DMO-PDF), the Loikaw PDF, the Mobye PDF, the Pekon PDF Battalion 1006, the Urban Revolutionary Front (URF) and Southern Shan State PDF reportedly.
Although IDPs have fled to safety for nearly six months, they have not been able to go home up to now, a resident of Loikaw told CNI News.
While seeing the IDPs
" We have left Loikaw for about six months to flee fighting. We can't enter Loikaw up to now." he said.
One side has not decisively won the other side to capture Loikaw up to now and battles only are breaking out, according to locals.
Nearly 40,000 residents of Loikaw had to flee to Pinlaung, Sesai, Nyaung Shwe and Taunggyi in southern Shan State because of battles.
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CNI News
17 May 2024
Bride trafficking market in which brokers cheat and take way, giving Myanmar women at the China-Myanmar border area an incentive that jobs would be available to be wives of Chinese men is getting bigger, philanthropic associations in Muse told CNI News.
300 Myanmar people or so are daily leaving for the Chinese side through Muse with a one-time use border pass card and red book border pass whose validity is one month each.
Although the bride trafficking market for Chinese men had existed since before, because of job scarcity at present, the market was getting bigger, U Sein Hla Aung, vice chairman of Kanlet Kunyi Philanthropic Association, told CNI News.
"All the cases regarding the red book, one week border pass card and UID are just fake. But the people are leaving for the Chinese side. Some women went to China knowingly that there is bride trafficking on the Chinese side. Others came to know they were trafficked only when they had arrived there. One time use of border pass card holders and red book holders can leave China anytime. One week's card is not reliable. To tell you the truth, if possible, you shouldn't go to China. Don't come if you don't have a UID." he said.
When women are called to work as wives of Chinese men, brokers or liars tend to use Facebook and WeChat, social media platforms reportedly. Women often are sold to Yunnan Province to be wives of Chinese men and a woman could be sold at 10,000 yuans there reportedly.
Human trafficking markets existed before and authorities were weak in taking action against the culprits, reviewed those who discussed human trafficking.
In cases of human trafficking, rather than being assisted by other organizations, scrutiny and action by authorities was mainly important. However, women concerned are more important, Ko Naing Naing Aung, director of the Arakan Workers Organization, told CNI News.
"Myanmar is different from its neighboring countries in the policy tackling human trafficking. If you commit more than human trafficking, it can become a crime. For example, people are sold and they are sent to another place. But if these people are not tortured, killed or subjected to violence, it's not a serious crime. If not, it's a serious crime." he said.
In most cases of human trafficking, they are because of the incentives of familiar people and women from Yangon, Bago, Magway and other townships including the women near the China-Myanmar border area are being trafficked reportedly.