CNI News

23 May 2024

Because the battles are breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the KIA/PDF joint forces in Waingmaw Township, locals from seven villages are displacing reportedly.

People from villages between Waingmaw and Shwe Nyaung Bin had to displace and are displacing now, a resident of Waingmaw told CNI News.

" There are about seven villages, including Shwe Nyaung Bin, Aung Myay-1, Aung Myay-2, Khar Sheat and Inlay between Waingmaw and Shwe Nyaung Bin and all the villagers from these villages displaced yesterday and are also displacing today. They are fleeing to safety by car, motorcycle and truck. I don't know where they are running away." she said.

While seeing the KIA/PDF joint forces

Myitkyina city-based Northern Command Military Headquarters and Nanpaung Air Base were attacked with shock missiles on 18th May and due to the explosion of shock missiles in Pammatee Ward, two young men and a workshop foreman, IDPs from Sinbo region, were killed and at least six people were injured.

And then, battles between the two sides were severely taking place and there were deaths due to explosions of artillery shells. Due to explosion of artillery shells to the east of Khat Cho Village, six people including family members who came from lower Myanmar to make a living were killed and over ten people were injured, a resident of Waingmaw told CNI News.

While the residents of Waingmaw Township were fleeing to avoid the fighting

" Artillery shells that were shot the other day fell and exploded to the east of Khat Cho Village where five of six family members who came from Sagaing Region to make a living at the rubber and banana farms and a Shan-Chinese person were killed." she said.

At present, battles are breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the KIA/PDF joint forces in Waingmaw, Banmaw, Tarlawgyi, Sinbo and Momauk Townships.

CNI News
22 May 2024

As the Shan State people are responsible in the revolution against the injustice, Shan people are urged to participate in waging the revolution, stated the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS)/ the Shan State Army (SSA) on 21st May 2024.

It urged the Shan people as above in the statement to mark the 66th anniversary celebration of the Shan National Revolution Day.

" As the Shan people are responsible in the revolution against the injustice, the Shan people are urged to participate in waging the revolution. In solving various problems, the RCSS/SSA will meet with organizations concerned and solve the problems in a peaceful manner." said in the statement released by the RCSS.

The RCSS would meet and discuss with all the stakeholders so as to change from the current administrative system to the federal democratic union and urged all the witness countries of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement to help solve the problems of Myanmar, stated the RCSS.

while seeing the RCSS's statement

The RCSS imposed the conscription law within Shan State and it is giving military training to over 6,000 recruits and expanding administrative territories without waging any battles. On the other hand, the RCSS is discussing with the Myanmar Tatmadaw and has formed alliances with the NCA signatories.

The fighting broke out between the RCSS and the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP)/the United Wa State Army (UWSA) forces in Yatsauk Township, Shan State on 17th May, 2024.

CNI News
22 May 2024

Because cutting sugarcane in the sugarcane season is about two months late, sugar production will be reduced, according to the Myanmar Sugar and Cane Related Products Association.

As Sagaing Region, Kachin and Shan States where sugarcane is grown were not stable, it was difficult to cut sugarcane. Because some workers who cut sugarcane had to displace, there were labor shortages as well reportedly.

Although chopping sugarcane was late, sugar mills will operate until sugarcane is no more in the hands of growers. However, quality will decline in sugar production from those sugarcanes and the yield will decrease as well reportedly.

So, sugar that was produced in the current season would not be exported and it would be consumed within the country, U Win Htay, chairman of the Myanmar Sugar and Cane Related Products Association, told CNI News.

While seeing Myanmar sugarcane

" Sugar mills will operate until sugarcane is no more in the hands of sugarcane growers. But because the sugarcanes are not very fresh, the sugar's quality declines and is a little yellowish. Because the quality is not up to standard a bit to export, the sugar won't be exported. As local demand and price are high, selling the sugar within the country will make more profits." he said.

As harvesting sugarcane was about two months late, the weight also decreased. So, growers faced some losses as well reportedly.

Because truck fares and labor charges were about two times higher, farmers were demanding sugar mills to raise the prices of sugarcane, U Maung Swe, a sugarcane farmer from Sagaing Region, told CNI News.

While seeing Myanmar sugarcane

Because chopping sugarcane was late, it could be difficult to grow on the sugarcane plantation places on which cultivation has been conducted for three years in a row reportedly.

Because it is necessary to grow on three year long plantation places with new sugarcane plants, sugarcanes could not be harvested in time in the coming sugarcane season. So, sugarcane cultivation could be reduced by 10 percent, estimated sugarcane entrepreneurs.

As new sugar mills have arisen this year, sugarcane farmers should take good care of increasing sugarcane yield, has suggested the Myanmar Sugar and Cane Related Products Association.

CNI News
22 May 2024

The Chinland could not be established by fighting against one another among brothers, Puzothang Puzothang, Director of the Zomi Revolution Army (ZRA) - Eastern Command told CNI News.

Because the Chin National Front/the Chin National Army and joint forces came to attack with massive force, the ZRA troops had to retreat, but the ZRA would not be ruined, he said.

"They came and fought with massive force against us while we were active in our regions with our local troops. We had to retreat a little. But our political attitude will never change. What they fought against us like that, regarding us as their enemy, was because of wrong message. It's unjust. It will be historic in the long run. Our force won't be ruined because of them. It will be better if political problem is solved by political means and military problem, by military means. There is no point in fighting against one another among us, brothers. I wish their leadership knew that. They will know their mistake later. If their attitude is that they only will lead in the politics of Chin State, the relationship among brothers will be ruined." said Puzothang.

The ZNA and its joint forces captured Tonzang and Kyikha towns on 19th May, 2024 and seized control of the ZRA's military camps in those townships, according to regional news agencies in Chin State. Although CNI News phoned Salai Htet Ni, information officer of the CNF to know more about the occupation of the two towns, it has not received any contact from him.

While seeing the CNF Force

Battles often break out between the ZRA and the CNF/CNA in Chin State. Joint forces led by CNF fought against the ZRA because the CNF and joint forces wanted to control trade routes and more tax collection, said a Chin nationality close to the CNF.

" We can't build politics by fighting against one another. We must negotiate. They didn't negotiate with the ZRA leadership. They disdained and fought against us. If this keeps up, eternal hatred among our brothers will exist forever." said Puzothang.

The ZRA is active in Tonzang and Tedim Townships in Chin State, Kalay, Tamu Townships and Kabaw Basin region in Sagaing Region as well as in the India-Myanmar border area.

The CNF is a Chin EAO that has signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and its headquarters is located in Thantlan and it is active in Hakha, Tedim and Matupi Townships.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.