CNI News

26 May 2025

In the aftermath of the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar, construction businesses are experiencing low activity due to difficulties in purchasing construction materials and other issues, business owners told CNI News. 

Currently, there is a lot of repair work in earthquake-affected areas, while construction work is low in other areas, U Myo Myint, general secretary of the Myanmar Construction Entrepreneurs Federation, told CNI News. 

It was because of the shortage of construction materials and the rising costs, causing difficulties for entrepreneurs and homeowners, he said.

“The main problem with the low activity of construction work is that materials are insufficient for the demand. After the earthquake, the first problem is difficult to get enough cement.  Because we have to construct buildings that can withstand a Richter scale 8 , the cost will be higher than the original cost. Therefore, it becomes difficult for some homeowners who will build, as well as for those who will build with a contract. For example, if the contractor invests more, he will not be able to give the homeowner much. Moreover, currently, there is a lot of repair work in the earthquake-hit areas, so there is less construction work in other areas," U Myo Myint said.

During the current reconstruction work, the mainly needed cement is not available due to high demand, and other construction materials are also in short supply. The Union Minister for Industry then said that he had instructed the relevant factories to sell cement to earthquake-affected buildings at 17,000 kyats per bag.

However, the prices on the ground are as high as 40,000 kyats, and they do not receive vouchers when they buy. Therefore, construction entrepreneurs point out that the demand for cement, which is the main requirement for the construction industry, should be met by importing it from abroad, depending on the amount that can be produced domestically. 

As people have had little interest in high-rise buildings since the earthquake, there are few large-scale construction projects while small scale construction activities only were more, U Maung Maung, chairman of Shwe Gabar Maung Maung Construction, told CNI News.

"After the earthquake, people's interest in high-rise buildings has decreased. So, construction work has decreased compared to before. We don't see many people building high-rise buildings. Another problem is that the labor force has become scarce." he said. 

When constructing buildings, they must be built that can withstand at least a Richter scale of 8, said the SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing during his visit to the earthquake-stricken Inle Lake region on April 11, 2025, and  his meeting with the public.

In addition, government departments sold iron, steel, cement, and construction materials needed for rehabilitation work in Naypyidaw from May 12 to 18.

CNI News

26 May 2025

Ethnic issues cannot be resolved because historical errors are being taught in education curricula, U Sai Htay Aung, chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) National Development Party, told CNI News that.

Military and political observers have pointed out that the teaching of historical errors in primary, middle, and high schools in Myanmar and the teaching that the country is protected only by Bamar heroes undermines national unity.

 Myanmar's education system is teaching personality cult to young people more than to love their country, U Sai Htay Aung, chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party, told CNI News.

“In the past, when they fought, if the Shan won, the Shan ruled; if the Burmese won, the Burmese ruled; if the Mon won, the Mon ruled. When the Rakhine won, the Rakhine came to rule. The lessons focusing on only the three Bamar heroes are taught in basic education schools, erasing these historical facts, so the rest of the ethnic groups began to feel that they were not involved in building this country. Our last Shan Ni king, Tho Han Bwa, was written in history as one of heresy and our entire ethnic group was put in the historical record so that it could not be avoided. I mean, these are very bad historical records. Because of such curricula, the Bamar have become a great nationality and have become less considerate of other ethnic groups. I would like to say that the problem starts there," he said.

While seeing armed groups, government, and military leaders

A political analyst told CNI Nws that the Bamar have never had Chauvinism, that there are concerns that if the ethnic groups are given the right to rule, they will secede, that there is no great ethnic group and in fact those who discriminate racially are only ethnic groups.

“We, Bamar people, are not discriminating against ethnic groups. If the Burmese go to the Kokang region, the Kokang forces say that Bamar people cannot enter their region. And they say that holding National Verification Card is illegal in their region. This is racial discrimination. All ethnic armed groups are dictators. They are also talking about federalism to gain power. To be honest, ethnic armed groups are taking advantage of the government's weakness in administration, politics, and military. They are the ones who are discriminating racially. They are the ones who do not believe in democracy,” he said.

Preparations have been made to hold an inter-ethnic singing, dancing, and music competition.

In Myanmar, non-Bamar ethnic groups are weak in designating the Bamar as an ethnic group while The Bamar people also use the term "ethnic" to refer to non-Bamar people and consider them to be low grade people.

Although Myanmar was founded by a diverse group of people, the history curriculum mostly teaches only about Anawrahta, Bayintnaung, Alaungpaya, and General Aung San, while teaching the histories of other ethnic groups who have served the country is very weak.

Therefore, discussions are underway in Myanmar to adopt a multicultural policy in the education curriculum and educate future generations.

CNI News

26 May 2025

Each state in the confederation has its own military, making it a separate entity and posing a great danger to the union, Sai Ai Paung, chairman of the Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), told CNI News. 

He also said that ethnic groups should be allowed to govern their own regions under a federal system and remain in the Union, and therefore, there is a need for open discussions at the political roundtable.

“Federalism means that the Union is united. In your own region, you govern yourself, share resources, and taxes fairly with the Union. That's the way it is. The confederation is dangerous in every state. Why did the Russian Union collapse? Because of the confederation. In a confederation, every state has its own army. It seems to exist separately. It's a great danger to the Union.In a federal system, it allows ethnic groups to govern their own regions to govern themselves, to remain in the union, to enjoy equal rights, to share them fairly, the main thing is to discuss peacefully and openly at the roundtable. I think it's best for the country if all the armed groups can peacefully discuss things around the political table," said Sai Ai Paung.

While seeing some armed leaders and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing

Currently, efforts are being made to build a federal and democratically based union, but some ethnic armed groups are even expressing goals such as confederation and independence.

In peace talks, ethnic armed groups are only demanding ethnic issues and are not demanding regional issues. 

They should not be organizations that represent a group of people, but rather organizations that represent the region. The ethnic armed groups are trying to gain their own territories, so the Myanmar Tatmadaw will have to continue fighting, said the SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

A confederation is less dangerous than establishing a separate country, but more dangerous than a true federal union.

If the ethnic groups focus on federalism, they should not demand more than federalism, Colonel Khun Okkar, chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO-NCA/S), which has signed the NCA, told CNI News.

While seeing the KIA, the AA, the TNLA and the MNDAA leaders

"A confederation is less dangerous than the establishment of a separate country, but more dangerous than a true federal union. In a federal union, all ethnic groups can enjoy equal rights. For the entire Union, it is a collective defense system. If we can create systems that foster collective economic development, then federalism is the best model for our country. However, if the unity becomes weak, some states and some peoples may demand something higher than federalism, such as a confederation. But such a demand could harm the federal government. In fact, if the focus is really on federalism, it's not appropriate to ask for more," he said.

The Arakan Army (AA) has said it will seek political status no lower than the “Wa” or achieve confederation status. The EAOs that have achieved confederation status beyond the federal system in Myanmar are the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA). 

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) Vice Chairman Lt. Gen. Gun Maw had also expressed that ethnic people would have considered something higher federalism by 2025.

Furthermore, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) Secretary-General Major General Tar Bone Kyaw said on August 18, 2022 that the Palaung people must prepare in advance to be ready if the situation arose to establish a country.

CNI News
24 May 2025

The SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said that all citizens need to be aware of the plans being implemented by some countries to disintegrate Myanmar and control the countries they want to control, using Myanmar as a decoy in the region.

He made the remarks during a meeting with young graduates of basic and advanced maritime and aviation training courses held on May 21, 2025.

The elements that have been destabilizing Myanmar since its independence and their affiliates have been orchestrating the incident, and that they carried out to intervene at any time, said the SAC chairman.

“The subversives are aware of the political and socio-economic balances of Myanmar, which are maintained by the constitution, and they know that only by destroying these balances can they implement their evil plans to disintegrate Myanmar and control the countries they want to control, using Myanmar as a decoy in the region Therefore, all our citizens must be aware that they are constantly working to achieve their plans,” he said.

SAC Chairman, Chinese President Xi and US President Donald Trump

The SAC chairman did not say exactly which countries were trying to control other ones.

China and the United States are trying to control each other by using the institutions they have influence over in Myanmar, military and political analysts point out.

Myanmar can become a developed country if it is built with good leaders and good policies, Sai Htay Aung, chairman of the Shanni Nationalities Development Party, told CNI News.

“When we look back at the relations between the United States and Burma, it showed that the United States is not an enemy of Myanmar. In addition, in China, Mao Zedong took power in 1949. When the world did not recognize this, Myanmar was the first to recognize them. Myanmar was under the U Nu government at that time. Burma came out with the Bandung Five Principles. At that time, China was not invited to the Bandung Conference. Now, like in Myanmar, when the international community boycotted the coup. But Myanmar said that if the conference did not invite China, he would not attend the conference either. At that time, U Nu had a lot of political influence in the world. So, the conference had to invite China. That is why China was grateful to Myanmar and think about how to develop Myanmar without causing problems. I see what U Min Aung Hlaing is saying now as saying that he wants to live in peace with the international community,” he said.

 Chinese President Xi, Russian President Putin, US President Donald Trump

Myanmar needed to work to prevent the recurrence of ugly historical incidents such as the 2020 election as well as the lawless activities in the name of democracy, and the authoritarian actions that would disrupt the unity and balance of the country in the pre-election period, said the SAC chairman.

The SAC chairman said that Myanmar is a friend of the United States, and China is a neighbor, a strategic partner, and a brotherly country, and that Myanmar would have the best possible relations with both countries.

Currently, powerful countries such as Russia, China, the United States, and India are competing in economic and political spheres in Myanmar.

CNI News

24 May 2025

It was necessary to prevent further situations where the country's unity and balanced stances would be disrupted due to authoritarian actions, said the SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

He made the remarks during a meeting with young graduates of basic and advanced maritime and aviation training courses held on May 21, 2025.

“As we move towards the multi-party democracy that the people desire, we need to work to prevent the recurrence of ugly historical incidents such as the 2020 election as well as the lawless activities in the name of democracy, and the authoritarian actions that will disrupt the unity and balance of the country in the pre-election period,” he said.

Military and political observers have suggested that SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing's remarks may be referring to the National League for Democracy (NLD).

The SAC chairman said that domestic and foreign subversives have been attacking the country for many years in various ways, and that the military has taken over the responsibility of the state and has worked to ensure a peaceful and stable transition to the multi-party democracy that the people want. 

While the SAC Chairman was greeting the young trainees

And it's necessary to beware of the foreign intervention He said that these forces and their affiliates, who have continuously worked to destabilize Myanmar since its independence, have been behind that incident (the situation where the country may collapse).

The Myanmar Tatmadaw has been ruling the country under a state of emergency since it ousted the NLD government on February 1, 2021, accusing it of attempting to form a government without resolving the 2020 election voter list dispute.

Then, some ethnic armed groups and activists, including some NLD leaders and parliamentarians, are waging an armed revolution to overthrow the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the SAC. As a result, fighting is raging across Myanmar, and the Myanmar Tatmadaw has lost hundreds of military bases and over 90 cities.

On the other hand, an opposition party in neighboring Bangladesh discussed the issue of establishing Rakhine State as an independent state and establishing an independent region for the Bengali people within Rakhine State during a meeting with delegates of the Chinese Communist Party. 

Similarly, some Indian parliamentarians have been discussing with Chin armed groups to merge Chin State with India's Mizoram State, and there are also demands to merge the Kabaw Valley region with India's Manipur State.

CNI News

24 May 2025

Military and political analysts are speculating on what the consequences of the resumption of fighting in Karen State and Tanintharyi Region by the Karen National Union (KNU) could be. 

In May 2025, joint forces led by the KNU's KNLA and KNDO captured three military bases in Hlaing Bwe Township, Hpa-an District, Karen State, along the Thai-Burma border: Maw Kwi Lu, Tarle, and Lay Pana Di (aka Ta Khor Bekwi).

In addition, the 4th Brigade of the KNU also captured the Htee Hta and Htee Khee strategic camps in the Htee Khee area of Dawei, Tanintharyi Region. After the political change in 2021, the KNU had differences of opinion between those who wanted a political solution and those who wanted a military solution.

Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-Myanmar analyst, told CNI News that the KNU may have launched operations to recapture military bases because the group that wanted a military solution had won, and that it may also want to gain an advantage in political negotiations.

Comrades fighting alongside the KNU

“An armed group will occupy areas. They will stabilize those areas. Moreover, the people in those areas will support that group, if so, it will be more convenient for the armed group to negotiate. They will continue to do this. Because China and Thailand are taking the same steps, if battles are more severe, Thailand can intervene and negotiate a ceasefire. I think they will continue to fight within their own country rather than at the border. In any organization, there are conflicts within the organization. There are internal conflicts. For example, should they continue the war or make peace? To prevent the organization from falling apart, they must first negotiate among themselves. I think the group that will fight outright will win. That's why they are waging camp-taking battles." she said.

KNU spokesperson Pado Saw Tawnee said that the KNU is currently preparing to  lead and operate the Htee Khee border trade gate and is also preparing to lead and operate the Myawaddy border trade gate. 
The KNU also has Brigades 2 and 3 in Bago Region, while Brigade 1 is in Thaton District. The KNU captured the villages of Naung Gon, Yan Myo Aung, Ywa Gyi Inn, Kyun Gon (Nokalaw), and Taung Su in Mu Township in the last week of April.

The KNU leaders

In addition, the Myanmar Tatmadaw’s 598 Light Infantry Battalion, located in Nyaung Chedauk village, Shwe Kyin Township, on the border of Bago and Mon State, was captured by joint forces of the PDF and KNU. 

The KNU's current operations and camp occupations are similar to Operation 1027, according to some analyses.

The KNU is the oldest ethnic armed group and political organization, and is made up of seven brigades. It is difficult to predict whether an operation like 1027 will be possible, as each brigade has different activities, U Myo Kyaw of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) told CNI News. 

"The KNU is a really experienced revolutionary army. They are very skilled and understand politics and military affairs. They also have their own policies and they are going their own way. As for the KNU, even among its 7 brigades, each brigade has different powers and strategies. Some brigades wage battles to capture cities and territories. Others are also trying to weaken the enemy's strength. That's why it's hard to guess whether their operations are like Operation 1027." he said.

The KNU had to relinquish Kawkareik, which it had captured since late 2023, and Myawaddy, which it had captured in April 2024. Local news reports also indicate that the KNU has captured at least seven military bases in the 7th Brigade area over a three-month period from March to May.

CNI News

23 May 2025

Some revolutionary organizations were seeking their own interests, backed by businessmen, said General Yawd Serk, Chairman of the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS/SSA). 
He made the remarks in a message sent on the 67th anniversary of the Shan State Revolution Day, which fell on May 21, 2025.

“During the 67-year revolution, there were divisions among the Shan revolutionary groups due to internal and external political problems and differences of opinion. Some revolutionary groups were operating their own businesses with the support of businessmen, and the Shan people were not well educated and knowledgeable, so they were manipulated and used by the enemy. These are the weaknesses of the Shan revolution and also obstacles that prevent it from achieving its goal," he said.

General Yawd Serk did not express exactly which ones of the many armed groups waging revolution in Myanmar.

The national flag of the Shan people

Currently, armed groups in Myanmar are making a fortune by exploiting natural resources in the areas they have controlled in collaboration with local and foreign businessmen.

He said that the people of Shan State and patriots must study and analyze the lessons learned and reform their thoughts and actions. and that all Shan people should participate in the revolution boldly, in order to achieve the speedy success of the revolution and to free themselves from slavery and for the sake of nationality, country and religion.

The Shan Revolution began on May 21, 1958, led by Sao Nwe, also known as Sawyan, who formed a unit called the Nwan Sit Han with 31 men and 7 guns. On May 21, 2025, the Shan Revolution was 67 years old.

The only Shan armed groups remaining in Shan State were the RCSS and the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP).

CNI News

23 May 2025

The SAC Vice Chairman, Vice Senior General Soe Win said that officials need to supervise their subordinates to ensure that they carry out their duties systematically to avoid any misunderstandings among the public from the time their government took responsibility until the time they hand over power to the winning party. 

He made the remarks during the second day of the SAC's work coordination meeting on May 20, 2025.

The SAC Vice Chairman said that since a multi-party democratic general election will be held by the end of this year, the Chief Ministers of Regions and States need to prepare in advance the requirements for a successful election and to fully process the election data of the Regions and States. 

He then said that security and stability are key to successfully holding free and fair elections, so it is necessary to ensure stability and peace in all places where elections can be held.

 While the SAC's Work Coordination Meeting was being held

“We need to prepare in advance for an orderly transfer of power to the winning party after the election. It is necessary for you to supervise your subordinates to carry out the process systematically from the time our government took responsibility until the time we hand over power to the winning party, so that the public does not have any misunderstandings.” he said.

SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has said that elections will be held in December 2025 and January 2026, and that power will be transferred to the political party that wins the election.

The Union Election Commission (UEC) also told CNI News that the election date has been set and will be announced when the election draws near. 

Political parties are predicting that the SAC will hold the election on December 14, 2025. On the other hand, the National Unity Government (NUG), the People's Defense Forces (PDF), and some ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) have declared that they will completely disrupt the elections to be held by the SAC.

Then, political parties are worried that people will not vote in the election.

CNI News

23 May 2025

There are reviews among military and political commentators, regarding where the SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing's policy towards relations with not only China but also the United States is headed for. 

The SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said in an interview with Russian television channel RT in Moscow, Russia, on May 8 that he would like to engage not only with China but also with the United States.

The SAC Chairman said that Myanmar is a friend of the United States, and China is a neighbor, strategic partner, and brotherly country, and Myanmar will establish the best possible relations with both countries.  For a small country like Myanmar, it is better to go in parallel rather than approaching a single powerful country politically, U Khun Sai, who is involved in the peace process, told CNI News.

"The 2008 Constitution states that all countries should be friends. We have been friends with all countries since independence. I think this is what the SAC Chairman said in principle. "We must have an equal approach to the big powers. We should not be more reliant on one side. If we have an equal approach to all big powers, it will be good for us. Big countries should also understand small countries," he said.

While the SAC Chairman was meeting with RT, a Russian News Agency

Myanmar's foreign policy is an independent and proactive foreign policy, and it pursues friendly relations with all countries. The SAC chairman said that currently, geopolitically, large countries are trying to control small countries or other countries, and that the problem between China and the United States could become more complicated if other countries get involved.

As the conflict between China and the United States escalates, Myanmar needs to work on building good relations with all major countries rather than choosing one, China-Myanmar analyst Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw told CNI News.

"One thing is that the conflict between China and the United States is not as serious as we think. Second, if they are serious, we will treat China well. We will treat the United States well. We will treat Russia well. These are things that we small countries need to learn to do. We will unite with China and oppose the United States.

President Putin, President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping

We will unite with the United States and oppose China. This is what people who are not skilled in diplomacy do," she said.

The US currently has increased tariffs of up to 44 percent on Myanmar, and the SAC chairman said during his visit to Russia that it was not appropriate to increase tariffs on a developing country, and that it was better to avoid trade that is dependent on a single country and trade with all countries.

Currently, there is intense fighting in Myanmar between the Burmese military and armed groups. In these conflicts, there are pro-American armed groups and pro-China armed groups.