CNI News

9 November 

Salt production in the season when Nay Hlan Sar ( salt produced by drying in the sun) is produced has declined because the price of salt is falling, according to salt farmers. 

With the price of local salt falling, because salt farmers could make a loss, some salt farmers have stopped salt production. 

Moreover, because it was difficult to hire workers, the cost became higher and the price of salt was falling, salt production decreased and eight of ten Sar Phos (workplace where salt is produced) only could produce, U Hla Tin, a salt farmer, told CNI News.

" The cost is higher. It's not easy to find workers. The prices of fuel oil are higher. So, some have stopped their work. Eight of ten Sar Phos can work. This year when the price of salt was around 200 kyats per viss, all Sar Phos were able to operate. But now the price is just between 150 and 180 kyats." he said.

At present, the price of coarse salt is only 150 kyats per viss and only when the price is 200 kyats, will it be beneficial to salt farmers.

While producing salt

Salt is produced Thanbyuzayat, Yay and Paung and the salt produced in Mon State is exported to Mon, Karen States, Tanintharyi and Mandalay Regions. 

At present, because of difficult transportation and territorial instability, some manufacturing industries that use salt have suspended.

So, demand for salt declined in the salt market of Mon State and the price of salt decreased as well.

Salt is produced in Mon State from November to April. 45,000 tons of salt are produced from 4,700 acres of salt production and not only is salt sufficient for the local consumption, it can be exported and entrepreneurs are trying to export it.

If salt can be exported to the international market, not only can locals enjoy job opportunities, foreign income can also be earned.

CNI News

9 November 2024

Thai PM Paetongtarn and Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council met and discussed at Wyndham Grand Hotel on 7th November 2024. 

She wanted to help for the peace of Myanmar, Paetongtan answered while Thai reporters asked her. 

" We talked separately and offered our goodwill to nurture the peace." said Thai PM.

Thailand has planned to hold an informal meeting that will find an answer to the political problem of Myanmar in Thailand in December. Myanmar and Thailand were inseparable good neighboring countries and the issue of a country impacted on the other, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing to Paetongtarn.

Leaders of the two countries discussed the stability of border areas of the two countries, matters regarding the rule of law and development, anti-cross-border crimes,  anti-narcotic drugs and online gambling, matters relating to border trade, investment and economic promotion, reported the Information Team of the SAC.

Moreover, matters relating to labor affairs, cooperation promotion among the ministries and departments of the two countries and preparation for holding a free and fair multi-party democratic general election, said in the statement.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing attend the 8th Great Mekong Sub-region Summit Talk, the 10th Ayeyarwady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategic Summit Talk and the 11th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam Cooperation Summit Talk on 6th and 7th November.

During his trip to China, Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing separately met with Chinese PM Li Chang, Lao PM, Cambodian PM and Thai PM, and discussed the issue of Myanmar.

CNI News

9 November 2024

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council, met with Mr. Wang Ning, member of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and secretary of Yunnan Province Communist Party Committee on 5th November 2024 and they discussed the matters relating to border area stability and questions about what change can arise from the discussion.

It was necessary to emphatically carry out for the stability of border area so that the cooperation between Myanmar and Yunnan Province could be promoted, said chairman of the SAC. 

If the facts from the discussion could be put into practice, it would be beneficial, Director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategy Studies, U Thein Tun Oo, told CNI News.

While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was meeting with Chinese businessmen

" Border trade and stability are very important to the two countries whose borders are sharing with each other. The two countries must overcome the problems by cooperating. Even if one side has no problem while the other has some problems, it won't be convenient. It must be resolved. According to the facts that were discussed , as they were very good, if they can be put into practice to stop armed conflicts and restart the border trade, it can be beneficial." he said.

Although the peace and stability of the border areas was important, the Chinese policy meant the stability and not finding an answer politically, chairman of the PNLO-NCA/S, an NCA signatory, Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.

While seeing the China-Myanmar border gate

" It is called stability in the Chinese policy. China doesn't use peace. It doesn't mean finding an answer politically. It's convenient for China if there is stability in any way. Only if there is stability, will there be economic development. Now because there's no stability, economy has declined." he said.

Battles are taking place between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and KIA-MNDAA-TNLA-PDFs in Kachin and Shan State. China has closed down its border gates sharing with the two States.

In the same way, the Myanmar side has designated the Chinese and Thai products as illegal commodities and is taking action and seizing them.

CNI News

8 November 2024

An international mechanism that contain foreign countries must be built in order to make many other countries concentrate on the Myanmar's issue, said  general secretary of the Karen National Union (KNU), Pado Sawta Do Mu. 

He said the above at the co-press conference of the KNU, the Chin National Front (CNF), the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) and the National Unity Government (NUG).

" The security of Myanmar has anything to do with that of the entire world. Online scam business, human trafficking and narcotic drug trade are spreading all over the world. They are on the roads of New York in the US while they are on the roads of Bangkok. And they are in Europe as well. So, our problem is enormous. That's why we are responsible to make the entire world concentrate on the problem. We can make the world concentrate on the problem by building an international mechanism from which we can reach the route reconstructing the country, I believe." said Pado Sawta Do Mu.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

Saying that the NLD government was trying to form a government without solving vote list dispute in the 2020 general election, the Myanmar Tatmadaw overthrew the NLD government and took the State power on 1st February 2021.

After that, leaders of the NLD, members of the Hluttaw, activists, democratic elements and armed groups are implementing the Spring Revolution in order to overthrow the Myanmar Tatmadaw.

While the Spring Revolution was being waged, China put pressure on the Myanmar government to crush down online scams and online gambling and used some armed groups.

Due to these situations, armed conflicts are severely taking place in Sagaing, Tanintharyi, Magway, Mandalay, Bago Regions, Kachin, Karen, Kayah, Chin, Mon and Rakhine States and there has been over six million IDPs.

While seeing Miss Bishop and chairman of the SAC

Moreover, there have been international economic sanctions on leaders of the Myanmar Tatmadaw, members of the SAC, state-owned banks. individuals and groups related to the Myanmar Tatmadaw.

Moreover, the US imposed the Burma Act and is supporting financially to opposition groups while Europe and other countries are putting pressure on the SAC and the Myanmar Tatmadaw by laying down the policy of no contact.

The UN Special Envoy to Myanmar, Miss Julie Bishop came to Myanmar in October and met with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing after which she said to carry out an international process led by Myanmar at the UN Assembly.

CNI News

8 November 2024

The State Administration Council (SAC) would discuss only if MNDAA-TNLA-AA wanted peace, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC on 6th November 2024. 

He said the above while he was meeting and discussing with Chinese PM Li Chang at Haigeng Garden Hotel in Kunming City, China on 6th November 2024.

" If they really want peace, we have always opened the peace door and are ready to discuss; armed terrorists need to carry out what should be in stead of giving priority to what they want to be; if MNDAA-TNLA-AA show only a clear signal that they want peace, we could carry out discussion." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

Because China urged Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing said that and it was impossible to arise discussion, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a Myanmar-China affairs commentator, told CNI News.

While Chinese PM Li Chang was meeting with chairman of the SAC on 6th November 2024

" It's unlikely to arise the discussion. Because China urged him to say so, he said that. What he wants is to get back all territories captured. Before he go to China, he told all armed groups to abandon arms and come to political dialogues. He didn't clearly say what the meaning of wanting the peace is. That's why there's no reason to arise political dialogues. He might have said that because China urged him to hold political dialogues. He met with Chinese PM Li Chang, Cambodian PM and Lao PM." she said.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw had announced its unilateral ceasefire since 2018 and carried out the peace; only when armed groups started fighting against, did it fight back them, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing during his meeting with Chinese PM Li Chang.

MNDAA-TNLA-AA refused the peace offer of Myanmar government in April 2022 and the MNDAA started attacking to the Myanmar Tatmadaw's military camps and Chin Shwe Haw in the border areas with China in northern Shan State on 27th October 2023 in order to re-enliven the Special Region-1. 

Although a peace agreement was reached at the mediation of the Chinese government, they breached the agreement and went on attacking towns and villages, which Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing told Chinese PM Li Chang.

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

As the two sides, in attempting to arise peace talks, if they had preconditions, it wouldn't be convenient, chairman of the PNLO-NCA/S, an NCA signatory, Col. Khun Okkar told CNI News.

" Both sides are telling their preconditions before they can discuss. But if there are preconditions, it doesn't work. Because of preconditions, they won't be able to discuss. An organization that can mediate and help negotiate is needed. Another thing, there must be guarantee. If the dialogues are held in Naypyidaw, armed groups won't attend. Is it possible to hold in Thailand in December? If China support and Thailand shows green light, a preliminary discussion can arise." he said.

In collaboration with the PDFs under the NUG, the BPLA, the KNDF and the PLA, the TNLA, the AA and the MNDAA launched Operation-1027 in northern Shan State on 27th October 2023 and captured Lashio, Theinni, Kutkai, Namkham, Nansang, Mangtong, Mong Ngor, Namtu, Laukkai, Kon Kyan, Mongko, Phaungsai and Chin Shwe Haw.

While Chinese PM Li Chang was meeting with chairman of the SAC on 6th November 2024

After that, second wave of Operation-1027 was launched on 25th June 2024 and offensives were severely waged to capture Lashio,Nawnghkio, Thibaw and Kyaukme in northern Shan State as well as Mogok, Momeik, Madaya, Sintku, Natogyi and Thabeikkyin in Mandalay Region.

While the MNDAA, the TNLA and their allies were making military preparations to launch offensives to Pyin Oo Lwin and Mandalay, The Chinese government put pressure on them not to do so, they haven't been able to attack up to now. 

Chinese PM Li Chang also said that China wouldn't accept destroying the interests of Myanmar, based in China during his meeting with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

CNI News

8 November 2024

China would not accept destroying the interests of Myanmar, based in China, said Chinese Prime Minister Li Chang during his meeting with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council. 

He said that when he was discussing about the China-Myanmar affairs with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing at Haigeng Garden Hotel in Kunming City on 6th November 2024.

He could discuss matters relating to existing friendship and Pauk Phaw (sibling) cooperation between the two countries and he believed that not only between the two countries, would the two countries also be able to cooperate more closely in the region and international frontage, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

"China recognizes sovereignty and territorial ownership of Myanmar again and won't accept destroying the interests of Myanmar, based in China." said Chinese PM Li Chang.

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Arakan Army (AA) and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) severely attacked the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Kachin State and northern Shan State, both sharing border with China and captured towns and border trade gates.

In collaboration with the PDFs under the NUG, the BPLA, the KNDF and the PLA, the TNLA, the AA and the MNDAA launched Operation-1027 in northern Shan State on 27th October 2023 and captured Lashio, Theinni, Kutkai, Namkham, Nansang, Mangtong, Mong Ngor, Namtu, Laukkai, Kon Kyan, Mongko, Phaungsai and Chin Shwe Haw.

After that, second wave of Operation-1027 was launched on 25th June 2024 and offensives were severely waged to capture Nawnghkio, Thibaw and Kyaukme in northern Shan State as well as Mogok, Momeik, Madaya, Sintku, Natogyi and Thabeikkyin in Mandalay Region. 

Myanmar nationalist elements accused that China supported Operation-1027 and held demonstrations against Chin in Yangon, Naypyidaw and Mandalay.

" The issue of Myanmar is that of China's neighboring country, so China will stand with Myanmar in the international frontage." said Chinese PM Li Chang.

MNDAA-TNLA-AA refused the peace offer of Myanmar government in April 2022 and the MNDAA started attacking to the Myanmar Tatmadaw's military camps and Chin Shwe Haw in the border areas with China in northern Shan State on 27th October 2023 in order to re-enliven the Special Region-1. 

Although a peace agreement was reached at the mediation of the Chinese government, they breached the agreement and went on attacking towns and villages, which Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing told Chinese PM Li Chang.

" If they really want peace, we have always opened the peace door and are ready to discuss; armed terrorists need to carry out what should be in stead of giving priority to what they want; if MNDAA-TNLA-AA show only a clear signal that they want peace, we could carry out discussion." he said.

The SAC offered armed groups and the PDFs to meet and discuss politically and to demand from the election on 26th September 2024. 

The SAC will hold a general election in 2025 and the State power will be handed over to the winning party, according to Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

China supported the five point road map laid down by the SAC and would help Myanmar to be able to hold the election, said Chinese PM Li Chang during his meeting with chairman of the SAC.

CNI News

7 November 2024

Myanmar brokers have monopolized most jobs in Malaysia, Myanmar philanthropic associations in Malaysia told CNI News. 

Moreover, the number of Myanmar brokers in Malaysia has increased and not only who did business of ferry service, have other Myanmar citizens also worked as brokers, chairman of Lovely Heart Philanthropic Youths Blood Donor Association, Ko Thet told CNI News.

" Job opportunities are scarce. Available jobs have been controlled by brokers. Everybody is a broker kind of. A factory worker works as a broker if there's a vacancy in his factory. Myanmar people came to Malaysia to work, borrowing money. When they arrive here, they have to pay the brokerage here in Malaysia. Moreover, some brokers cheat. Some Myanmar girls were bought. Some girls were asked to work as housemaids. Wages for one year, 5,000 or 6,000 ringgits were taken by brokers. Brokers tend to be those who have been in Malaysia for four or five years and above." he said.

While migrant workers were arrested

There are good brokers while bad brokers who don't take responsibilities and accountabilities, according to Myanmar philanthropic associations in Malaysia.

Because jobs are so scarce, although philanthropic associations connected workers to employers, because the workers didn't go whenever the employers want, the workers tend to hire brokers to find jobs, chairman of the Yadana Sekka Funeral Service, Ko Aung told CNI News. 

" Brokers aren't typical ones. Drivers do the business of a broker. They take the transportation charges as well as brokerage. They might send workers to bad factories knowingly. They take from 600 to 800 ringgits per head. Because the factory was bad, 3 or 4 days later, if the workers ask them another job, they take any more of brokerage. They are wicked like that." he said.

While seeing those who were working in a factory in Malaysia

Rather that arresting illegal workers with a plan, due to the Malaysian citizens' complaint, arresting are being conducted more. 

Moreover, because the Malaysian Immigration has announced that three places in Selangor Province would be checked, illegal Myanmar workers should take care of staying, suggested the philanthropic associations in Malaysia.

CNI News

7 November 2024

As battles are severely breaking out in the Ann township, Rakhine State where the West Command of the Myanmar Tatmadaw is located, some are asking questions about how important Ann is for the military and economy. 

Ann was strategically important, member of the policy steering committee of the Arakan National Party, U Tun Aung Kyaw told CNI News.

" Ann is really pivotal. The West Command is located in Ann. The command was strategically built when the mainland government ruled. But now when the people across the country don't accept the government, strategic calculations regarding Ann were wrong. There are about 300 villages in Ann Township. The military council can't control all the villages. It is only in Ann. If the military council lost control of all villages in the township, the command would be broken." he said.

While seeing the Arakan Army (AA)

Moreover, if the Myanmar Tatmadaw lost control of Ann Town, as there are international investments and projects in Rakhine State, India and China would have to talk with the Arakan Army (AA), added U Tun Aung Kyaw.

" Economically, as soon as the Myanmar Tatmadaw loses the military command in Ann, India and China will need to talk with the AA because India's Kaladan River Project is located in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State. Moreover, China's two ocean project is in Kyauk Phyu." he said.

Besides, the trans-border petroleum and natural gas pipeline project has been linked from the west coastline in Rakhine State, Myanmar to the western provinces in China through the northeastern Shan State.

The project passes 22 townships in Rakhine State, Magway, Mandalay Regions and Shan State, and its total cost is over 2.45 billion US dollars.

Moreover, the Kaladan River Project is being built, linking Mizoram Province, India with Sittwe Port and it is a trade route that contains roads and waterways through Paletwa Town, Chin State.

While seeing the Myanmar Tatmadaw

Battles could be more severe because Ann is important to both sides, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-Myanmar affairs commentator, told CNI News. 

" Ann is very important to both sides. Most of the territories in Rakhine have been captured by the AA. Ann only is left. The military council has considered that it will defend severely from Ann, I think. The AA will have to attack severely, I think. I heard the AA has surrounded Ann." she said.

The AA had said it would protect China's interests since it launched its military operations; both sides would not hurt or would not dare to hurt or should not hurt the interests of China, pointed out military analysts. Battles are severely taking place in Ann, Maungdaw and Taunggoat Townships between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the AA.

At present the AA is launching offensives in Ann, Maungdaw, Gwa and Taunggoat Townships in multitude while it has surrounded and blocked Kyauk Phyu, Manaung and Sittwe Townships. Some Chin armed groups, the SAF and armed forces from the Spring Revolution are fighting for the AA.

CNI News

7 November 2024

Although the government has designated that 25 percent of eight kinds of imports including rice, oil crops, rubber and aqua products must be exchanged at the rate of the Central Bank of Myanmar in the past.

At present 25 percent of export earnings from onion, garlic, pulses, oil crops and fruit must be exchanged at the rate of the Central Bank starting from 1st November 2024 whether they are exported through border trade or by sea and the 75 percent can be exchange at the market price.

Designating like that could decline the onion market and buying onion to export could decrease as well, Ko Tin Hain, an onion trader from Myingyan, told CNI News. 

" Because the tax that has to be paid has turned higher, the market can decline. Exporters can't buy a lot of onion. Buyers who will export onion are watching kind of." he said.

It could impact on the onion market to an extent, depending on the onion remnant; at present the price of onion was without up or down, said U Moe Kyaw, an onion trader.

While seeing trucks carrying watermelons

" In my opinion, there could be an impact on the onion market, depending the onion remnant. It will take about 90 days to make new onion get to the market. There will be repercussion to an extent. That's why the price hasn't gone up anymore starting from the day when the news came out, I think." he said to CNI News.

However, the change regarding export earnings from fruit would impact a little on fruit traders,  Ko Thitsar, a watermelon and cucumber trader told CNI News.

" In the border trade with China, there are companies that provide service to the traders in the matters regarding the duty on the Myanmar side. Nine out of ten traders work with the companies. So, this designation regarding export earnings impacts a little on the traders." he said.

35 percent of export earnings from rubber, corn, pulses, oil crops, aqua products, animals and related products, rice, broken rice and sugarcane must exchange at the price designated by the Central Bank starting the end of 2023, imposed the government. 

After that, only 25 percent of the export earnings must exchanged at the price designated by the Central Bank, released the government in August, 2024.

At present, export earnings from cotton, cane, bamboo, pulses, onion, crops, metal and ore minerals, and other minerals must be exchanged at the price designated by the Central Bank.