English Edition
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 419
CNI Article
4 July 2024
The move of the Chinese Communist Party to expel General Wei Fanghe and General Li Shangfu from the CCP for corruption and initiate prosecution against them has rekindled the possibility that some of the long-range missiles under the command of the Rocket Force of the People’s Liberation Army have been filled with water instead of fuel and that the silo set up in the Xinjiang region to house some of these missiles has lids that do not fit properly; reports that Western observers had at one stage dismissed as too far-fetched.
When General Wei and his successor General Li were sacked as Defence Minister of China in quick succession in 2023 and disappeared from public view, the world was searching for an answer to the question why. Officially, they had been accused of bribery; with no explanation offered.
It was then that a report surfaced, quoting U.S. intelligence sources, that some of the long range missiles in the arsenal of China had been found to be filled with water and that a missile silo had a defective lid.
While meeting the 2 defense ministers who were charged with corruption
In other words, a great scam was under way in the strategic Rocket Force of the PLA; raising serious doubts about the strike power of the Chinese armed forces and the question if the PLA was a paper tiger.
As the Centre for Strategic and International Studies wrote in January 25, 2024, in December 2023 “nine top military officials were removed in what was being called a ‘purge,’ including officials from the Strategic Rocket Forces that oversaw China’s nuclear-armed missiles.
Subsequent reporting indicated the purge was due to ‘widespread corruption’ that has undermined ‘efforts to modernize the armed forces and raised questions about China’s ability to fight a war,’ according to U.S. Intelligence. Specifically, Chinese missiles were allegedly filled with water.”
Experts had doubted if the report ascribed to U.S. intelligence was true. “There would be no reason to put water in the missiles unless it was deliberate sabotage. If it was deliberate sabotage, China would not just be purging this or that official. They would have been arrested, tried and shot. Sabotage or the destruction of strategic nuclear missiles is a very serious crime. The idea that some officials would just be dismissed from their job is not a response to anything of this level of criminal significance,” a columnist in the Asia Times wrote last January.
While meeting the leaders of the Chinese Communist Party
His suggestion was that the story of missiles being filled with water had been planted by the “Xi clique” as a red herring. According to him, President Xi is in trouble because of a power struggle within China. He is now using the ploy of a corruption probe to eliminate his competitors and anyone he thinks is a threat to his leadership.
Significantly, both General Wei and General Li had been high-ups in the CCP hierarchy. Both had served as State Councillors, the top post in the Chinese Communist Party, and had been members of the Central Military Commission; the overall high command of the PLA headed by President Xi himself.
And there are plenty of reasons for President Xi to be in trouble. “There has been growing scepticism of Beijing’s reports of a robust expansion. China is plagued with symptoms of a sinking economy: deepening deflation, crumbling property prices, continuing debt defaults, a weakening currency, accelerating capital flight, and failing local governments,” Newsweek has observed.
Now, however, both the former Defence Ministers of China who have been expelled from the CCP are set to be prosecuted in what has been regarded as the worst scandal to hit the PLA, says the latest report from Beijing; belying conjectures that the two Generals have been let off leniently.
Xinhua, the state-run news agency of China, has reported: “Li Shangfu betrayed his original mission, betrayed the trust of the Party Central Committee and Central Military Commission and caused great damage to the party cause and national defence;” grave charges indeed which, according to observers, may mean life imprisonment for General Li; a Chinese aerospace engineer who had headed the all important Rocket Force of the PLA and had been selected for the top defence post by President Xi himself.
While seeing Xi Jinping
Earlier, he had spent decades in the Equipment Division which looked after procurements for the PLA. He went missing in 2023.
The crimes of General Wei were said to be extremely serious, with a highly detrimental impact and tremendous harm, according to the findings of an investigation. General Wei took over at the helm of the Second Artillery Corps of the PLA in 2012 and continued to lead the key part of the nuclear arsenal of China after it was restructured as the Rocket Force in 2015.
In the typical style of the CCP, the charge sheets against the two generals of the PLA are verbose but vague. According to Xinhua, their actions have failed the trust of the CCP Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, have severely contaminated the political environment of the military; bringing enormous damage to the cause of the party, the development of national defence and the armed forces, and the image of senior officials.
The sacking of the two generals and their disappearance had coincided with the dismissal of nine other generals from the National People’s Congress in December 2023, including previous and serving commanders of the PLA Rocket Force and the Air Force; as well as several Central Military Commission officials with the Equipment Development Department. Their summary dismissals had sent shockwaves in the Chinese military.
Corruption in the Chinese military has raised questions about the ability of the PLA to achieve military objectives and attain the target of “great rejuvenation” as envisioned by President Xi. The Federation of American Scientists has stated in an open letter to U. S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin that these flaws, if true, would compromise military operations of China and raised concern that the information of the U.S. government on China’s arsenal may not be accurate or reliable. However, it is understood that the American military is not letting the guard down and is not changing anything about its current nuclear policy.
![](/images/hgjghjfghfghjfh.jpg#joomlaImage://local-images/hgjghjfghfghjfh.jpg)
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 74
CNI News
4 July 2024
Due to flooding in Ayeyarwady, Maykha Rivers and some streams with heavy rains, they were finding it difficult in carrying out relief operations, social assistance associations told CNI News.
Although the water level has gone down in some places, the water level has not in other places. So, it is still necessary to carry out emergency relief operations for the flood victims and boats and fuel are needed to do so, an official from Shwe Myittar Shwe Set Social Assistance Association, told CNI News.
" It's difficult to get enough fuel in Myitkyina. Roadside fuel shops have been flooded. We can't get fuel from pump stations as much as we want. The price of fuel has been 10,000 to 15,000 kyats per liter, I heard. We need fuel to carry out relief operations. There are places where you can't go by car, so you need boats and fuel." he said.
While the flood victims in Myitkyina were being assisted and relieved
Because so many houses were submerged due to flood in Kachin State, over 10,000 people were evacuated to monasteries and large buildings on higher land reportedly.
At present, flood victims are desperately in need of food and dresses and some flood victims have been homeless because their houses were washed away by the water current, according to social assistance associations.
Although Myitkyina and Waingmaw Townships experienced floods in 2004, the floods this year are getting worse, an official from the branch office in Kachin State of Myanmar Social Relief Organization told CNI News.
While seeing the flood victims in Myitkyina
" The flood this year gets worse than 2004. We don't get enough boats and fuel. Now all the social assistance associations from Mohnyin, Mogaung and Namti Towns. Although the water level has gone down, the water level is until your chest and other places, to your waist. The water level hasn't gone down at all in Kyet Paung Gyan. Schools can't be opened yet. They will take one or two weeks because they were completely flooded." he said.
The water level of Ayeyarwady River had been higher since the morning of 30th June and the level reached 1406 cm on 1st July although the critical water point is 1200 cm of Myitkyina.
The floods started taking place in Myitkyina, Waingmaw, Chipwi, Tanai and Hpakant on the low-lying places on 30th June and it might be delayed to finish reconstruction tasks, reviewed social assistance and relief associations.
![](/images/hgjfhfhfghj.jpg#joomlaImage://local-images/hgjfhfhfghj.jpg)
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 80
CNI News
4 July 2024
Nearly 60 civilians were killed in Kyaukme, northern Shan State because of battles, according to regional philanthropic associations.
There were many deaths due to the explosion of artillery shells and their philanthropic association was finding it difficult to get enough fuel, a member of a philanthropic association, told CNI News.
" There have been nearly 60 civilian deaths. 55 civilians were killed because of heavy weapons, and three people got sick and died. Today, we hear cracks of heavy weapons every 20 minutes. We are finding it difficult to get enough fuel for the car." he said.
The battles have been breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF/TNLA) in Kyaukme since 25th June, 2024.
While seeing IDPs
The battles between the two sides contain heavy weapon fire and air strikes and there are home damages and civilian casualties. At present, there are explosions of artillery shells within Kyaukme Town. So, almost all the residents of the town have fled to safety, a resident of Kyaukme told CNI News.
" Shells of heavy weapons fell and exploded on the houses in 8 Ward. Residents of the town largely went down to Mandalay. Some residents fled to Pon Woe and Naung Pain. Those who cannot go far away gathered at the monastery. There have been over 10,000 IDPs." he said.
Monks were looking after the IDPs with the help of the people who lived away, he added.
The battles have been breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the TNLA joint forces since 25th June in Kyaukme, Thibaw, Nawnghkio, Mogok and Madaya and locals are fleeing to safety.
![](/images/yiot78rouoio.jpg#joomlaImage://local-images/yiot78rouoio.jpg)
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 88
CNI News
3 July 2024
As the Arakan National Party (ANP) was found to be inconsistent with the provisions of Section 7 of the Political Parties Registration Act, the party's application for registration was rejected, announced the Union Election Commission (UEC) on 1st July 2024.
According to the verification replies of the relevant ministries in relation to the ANP's application to be registered under the Section 25 of the Political Parties Registration Act, the party was found to be inconsistent with the provisions of Section 7 of the Political Parties Registration Act, said in the statement.
While seeing the statement that has refused the ANP's rights to establish a political party
According to the decision of the Union Election Plenary Session (11/2024), the UEC refused the ANP's application for the party registration in form (g) of the bylaw of the political parties registration and the UEC was verifying the rest parties that has applied for the party registration, reported the UEC.
The ANP is a party with strong public support in Rakhine State and a big party that won with the most votes in the 2015 general election and in the 2020 byelection within Rakhine State.
Refusing the application of the ANP with strong public support for registration was questionable for the survival of democracy and the ability to hold multi-party democratic elections, pointed out some people.
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 99
CNI News
3 July 2024
Thailand started the 120 Day Plan that will arrest undocumented foreigner migrant workers in June and within 24 days of the plan, over 60,000 illegal Myanmar migrant people were arrested, stated the Thai Ministry of Labor.
When illegal workers were checked across Thailand from 5th to 28th June, nearly 80,000 were arrested. Those arrested are 58,868 Myanmar people, 11,913 Cambodians, 5,571 Laotians, 22 Vietnamese people and 2,424 other foreigner workers reportedly.
The four month long plan came after the Thai government approved to issue the Thai Pink ID cards to undocumented migrant workers in June. Arresting like that might be related to online gambling, U Aung Kyaw from the Labor Rights Foundation (LRF) told CNI News.
"In my opinion, the arrests seem to be related to their national security and online gambling. Myanmar citizens are not involved in gambling and frauds. But taking advantage of our ignorant Myanmar citizen workers, their documents and bank accounts were abused. These things may be related to the arrests." he said.
While authorities concerned have arrested those who entered illegally
If migrant workers with incomplete documents were checked and found, the four month long plan that would arrest, fine and send back to their native countries had been officially announced by the Thai authorities.
Among about 80,000 illegal migrant workers who were arrested, 352 Myanmar workers, 75 Laotian workers, 53 Cambodian workers, five Vietnamese workers and 49 other citizens had been taken action against already, announced the Thai Ministry of Labor.
The Thai authorities sought and arrested at 203 places including shops, factories, workshops and restaurants reportedly.
While authorities are checking a workplace
"In my opinion, the news came out in a threatening manner to make all undocumented workers take Thai Pink ID cards. Brokers in Thailand were waiting for that. It's difficulty to get jobs. Jobs are scarce. There are a lot of liars. Many people were cheated. Jobs are very scarce for those who are undocumented. Even some MoU workers were cheated by their agents." said Ko Moe Lay who lives in Mae Sot to CNI News.
If an undocumented worker who is not allowed to work or a worker who works in a type of work that he does not have the right to work is found, he will be fined from 5,000 to 50,000 Thai Baht and will be sent back to his country as well as will be banned to work in Thailand for two years.
If an employers who hires a worker who is not allowed to work is found, the employer will be fined from 10,000 to 100,000 Thai Baht for a worker. If the employer committed the offence again, he will be imprisoned one year at most and be banned to hire foreign migrant workers for three years reportedly.
![](/images/301411106_2265423140282341_5721979084741237838_n.jpg#joomlaImage://local-images/301411106_2265423140282341_5721979084741237838_n.jpg)
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 102
CNI News
2 July 2024
Seven banks that lent housing loans more than the amount designated by the Central Bank of Myanmar would be taken action against, reported the State Administration Council (SAC) on the night of 1st July.
The Central Bank of Myanmar allowed housing loans for a term of more than three years, depending on the total banking loans, with a view to offering a new loan system for private banks and creating opportunities for property ownership by the people, stated the SAC.
However, Yoma Bank, Myanmar Citizens Bank, Ayeyarwady Bank, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Bank, UAB Bank, Myanmar Metro Bank, Construction, Housing & Infrastructure Development Bank were checked and found that they granted housing loans beyond the stipulations of the CBM, said in the statement released by the SAC.
YOMA Bank grants loans exceeding 11 per cent than the fixed amount of the Central Bank of Myanmar.
Myanmar Citizenship Bank grants loans exceeding 8.94 per cent than the fixed amount of the Central Bank of Myanmar.
AYA Bank grants loans exceeding 1.96 per cent than the fixed amount of the Central Bank of Myanmar.
SME Development Bank grants loans exceeding 1.01 per cent than the fixed amount of Central Bank of Myanmar.
UAB Bank grants loans exceeding 3.38 per cent than the fixed amount of Central Bank of Myanmar.
Myanmar Metro Bank grants loans exceeding 0.39 per cent than the fixed amount of the Central Bank of Myanmar.
CHID Bank grants loans exceeding 16.34 per cent than the fixed amount of the Central Bank of Myanmar.
The officials concerned would supervise the return of the loans exceeding the fixed amount of CBM from the banks within the fixed time and officials from these seven private banks would be taken action against in accordance with the law, said in the statement.
The seven private banks would be fined under Section 154 of the Financial Institutions Law, and the relevant officials of CBM would also be taken action against for their weakness in the supervision of the private banks, said in the statement.
![](/images/hfjhgjfghgjg.jpg#joomlaImage://local-images/hfjhgjfghgjg.jpg)
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 111
CNI News
2 July 2024
Because there had been a sharp increase in the number of people who went abroad, the shortage of farm workers was getting worse, the people who are doing business of agricultural industry told CNI News.
Although the shortage of farm workers was since before; youths wanted to earn a lot of income by going abroad to work rather than working on farms, U Aung Thein Hla, a farmer, told CNI News.
"Farm workers are now scarcer. When we were young, those who works on the farm were youths and middle-aged men. But now men at the about 60 years of age can be found on the farms. Most of the people who went abroad found it difficult for their livelihood.
Moreover, even children of farm owners are not interested in working on the farms and then they also went abroad as well. Some people who went abroad are convenient, but others, not." he said.
In reaping the paddy, because of higher price of fuel, when the workers are hired to harvest, due to the shortage of workers, there were a lot of wastage of paddy, he added.
Because of low wages and hard work on the farms since before, youths and young men were not interested in the work. So, the shortage of workers has been taking place.
While paddy is being transplanted
Moreover, among industries facing labor shortages, agricultural industry is facing the worst situation. As a result of labor shortage, productivity has declined, Ko Zaw Min Naing, an agricultural and economic advisor, told CNI News.
" We are facing labor shortage - both white collars and blue collars. The agricultural sector has faced labor shortage since before. But at present, it's facing the worst situation. It's necessary to find a solution why the labor shortage is taking place. Is it because the policy has been tightened? Policy makers need to make a decision to tackle the problem." he said.
While there has been labor shortage, because battles are breaking out in some regions and states, agricultural industry is being mainly conducted in Ayeyarwady, Bago Regions and around Naypyidaw reportedly.
Moreover, because of higher prices of fuel and inputs as well as difficult transportation in some regions, commodity prices are also going up.
![](/images/ghjhgjfghjh.jpg#joomlaImage://local-images/ghjhgjfghjh.jpg)
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 76
CNI News
2 July 2024
Some IDPs from Loikaw couldn't still go home because of the battles that broke out in Loikaw, a Loikaw IDP told CNI News.
Residents could live in some parts of Loikaw City and it was unlikely for some residents to go home because their houses were burnt down or destroyed, he added.
"I haven't gone back to Loikaw for seven months. I can't go home because my house was burnt down. Some residents can go home because their houses were not destroyed. I have no plan to go back up to now. I'll consider to go home one day when everyone can live peacefully." said a Loikaw IDP.
While seeing the KNDF Force
After Karenni revolutionary forces launched Operation-1111 on 11th November 2023, battles severely broke out in Loikaw and residents of the city had to flee to safety.
The operation contains the Karenni Army (KA), the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF), the Karenni National People's Liberation Front (KNPLF), the Demoso People's Defense Force (DMO-PDF), the Loikaw People's Defense Force (Loikaw-PDF), the Mobye People's Defense Force, the Battalion-1006 of Pekon People's Defense Force and southern Shan State People's Defense Force.
And then those who avoided battles fled to southern Shan State and some IDPs had gone back home reportedly.
In order that administrative mechanisms could be functioned again in Loikaw, the State Administration Council (SAC) has instructed its staff to come back to the city in August.
Moreover, the SAC has instructed the Taunggyi-Loikaw passenger bus lines to resume their operation starting from 1st July, 2024 reportedly.
While the Kayah State Government is checking for the security of Loikaw City and has carried out for the resettlement
" I don't go back home because we can't get in touch with the other side (people in Loikaw) by phone. So, I don't know whether the situation there is good or not." said a Loikaw IDP.
Either of the two sides has not be able to capture Loikaw City up to now and battles are breaking out every so often, according to locals. Nearly 40,000 residents of Loikaw had to move to Pinlaung, Sesai, Nyaung Shwe and Taunggyi in southern Shan State.
The SAC stated on 15th June, 2024 that things had been back to normal in Loikaw and arrangements were being made to resettle IDPs. However, some residents are finding it difficult to go home because they are worried for their security.
![](/images/hjfgjfhgjfhgjfjhg.jpg#joomlaImage://local-images/hjfgjfhgjfhgjfjhg.jpg)
- By CNI
- Category: English Section
- Hits: 107
CNI News
2 July 2024
With the intention of causing economic chaos, rice traders, owners of rice mills, rice shops and shopping centers who were raising the prices of rice excessively in the domestic rice market were attested and taken action against, reported the State Administration Council (SAC) on the night of 30th June, 2024.
As it was reported that the prices of rice were being sold at exorbitant prices, security organizations checked 102 rice warehouses, 25 rice mills, seven shops, 58 rice and paddy entrepreneurs in Regions and States including Naypyidaw whether they were selling rice at reasonable prices that were monthly announced by the Myanmar Rice Federation.
After that, 27 rice and paddy entrepreneurs who sold rice at the price 10 percent more than that designated, and 24 rice and paddy entrepreneurs, at the price 11 to 20 percent more and seven rice entrepreneurs, at the prices 31 to 70 percent more were found.
Fine and additional taxes will be collected from 24 rice entrepreneurs who sold rice at 11 to 30 percent more than the set price.
The seven rice entrepreneurs who sold rice at 31 to 70 percent more that the set price would be taken action against under the Section-5 of the 2012 Important Goods and Services Act, stated the SAC.
The seven entrepreneurs are director of the Global Myanmar Trading U Lin Ko Ko Naing, owner of Yadanabon Rice Mill U Kyaw Zaw Lin, owner of Kanbawza rice trading business U Myint Swe, director of Theingi Rice Mill and Brokers' Sales Center U Lin Htut Naing, in charge of Sein Ngar Bwint Rice Shop U Thein Oo, owner of Thitsarshin Rice and Edible Oil Trading U Aung Tin and in charge of Thant Rice Shop U Win Zaw.
In the same way, 53 shopping centers and stores that sold ready-packaged rice bags of various weights at the higher prices than those monthly designated by the MRF were checked by the security organizations which found that a store sold the bags of rice at the price 20 percent higher than that designated, 30 shopping centers and stores that sold at 21 to 50 percent higher than that designated and 22 shopping centers that sold at 51 to 70 percent higher than that designated, announced the SAC.
Moreover, some shopping centers and stores unnecessarily added expenses for promotional activities and company employees to the selling prices, said in the statement.
So, 30 shopping centers and stores that sold rice at the price 21 to 50 percent higher than that designated would be fined and collected additional taxes. However, four responsible persons from 22 shopping centers that sold rice at the price 51 to 70 percent higher than that designated would be taken action against under the 2012 Important Goods and Service Act, stated the SAC.
The four persons are director of One Stop Mart U Myo Thant, the CEO of City Mart Holding U Phyo Min Kyaw, Managing Director of Sein Gay Har Trading U Maung Maung Win, and director of Aeon Orange Mr.Kasamatsu Hiroshi.
The SAC would continue to take action against those who sell rice at the prices higher than reasonable ones and the people could complain to the authorities if they found those who raised the price and sold rice, reported the SAC.