CNI News
17 September 2023

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) met with Thai Air Chief Marshal, Alongkorn Vannarot in Naypyidaw on 15 September 2023 They discussed about friendship, developments and cooperation between the two armies, which the SAC reported.

And then, cooperation between Myanmar Air Force and Thai Air Force, situations relating to yearly high-level committee (HLC) meeting between the two armies and yearly Thai-Myanmar Regional Border Committee (RBC), matters relating to improvement of friendship between the two countries and matters related to the friendship tours were discussed as well reportedly.

Thai Air Chief Marshal attended the 20th ASEAN Air Force Chiefs Meeting hosted by Myanmar on 14 September 2023 and met with Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing on 15th September.

Currently battles are severely breaking out between the Tatmadaw and revolutionary forces in Kayah and Kayin States bordering with Thailand. Due to the armed conflicts, trade routes were damaged and Thai-Myanmar friendship bridges were also bombed.

CNI News
16 September 2023

U Than Swe, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the State Administration Council, and  Mr Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister met and discussed for the defense and security cooperation in the Russian Federation on 14 September 2023.

The delegation led by U Than Swe went to the Russian Federation at the invitation of the Russian Foreign Minister and a bilateral discussion was held at the Russian Foreign Ministry on 14 September 2023.

Officials from the two countries discussed about opening Myanmar consulate general offices in St.Petersburg and Novosibirsk for the close cooperation between the two foreign ministries, which the SAC reported.

And then, the cooperation in the sectors such as defense, security, tourism, interaction between the people of the two countries, economy, trade, banking industry, energy, industry, education and information were discussed reportedly.

" Myanmar profoundly appreciates to the Russian Federation for its principled position, understanding and consistent support towards Myanmar on the international front, especially at the United Nations." said U Than Swe, Myanmar Deputy Prime Minister. And then the two foreign ministers held a joint press conference.

Currently, battles between the Tatmadaw and revolutionary forces are breaking out in Sagaing, Magway, Bago, Tanintharyi Regions, Chin, Kayin, Kayah, Kachin and Shan States.

CNI News
16 September 2023

The Karen National Union (KNU) has not officially announced that the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) is void and KNU would find a solution for the territorial stability and internal peace through political means, said in a statement released by Saw Aung Maw Ei, chairman of the KNU's Pa-an District and Brigade 7 on 14th September.

KNU has already put its political aims and goals, and attitude for building a democratic federal union in the NCA, said in the statement.

" As the KNU's Brigade 7 Pa-an District, KNU has not officially announced that NCA is void and it will carry out to find a solution through political means on the basis of the NCA for the territorial stability and internal peace, looking ahead to the public interest." said Saw Aung Maw Ei in the statement.

After that, the NCA arose from the KNU's ceaseless demand to be able to solve the political problem through political means and it was firmly signed before the local and international witnesses said in the statement released by chairman of Brigade 7 Pa-an District.

The reason why there was fight between the KNU and the government was because the political problem was not solved by political means, but by military means and when finding a solution based on 70 years of civil wars, it was found that solving the political problem by political means was the best decision which have been exactly mentioned in the course, process and prior process of the KNU Congress for the ceasefire and internal peace, said in the statement.

A statement released by Saw Aung Maw Aye, chairman of the KNU's Brigade 7 Pa-an District

The NCA was signed by the KNU, the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), KNU/KNLA-Peace Council, the All Burma Students Democratic Front and the Chin National Front (CNF) on 15th October 2015.

Pado Sawta Do Hmu, general secretary of the KNU, said that the NCA had been void at a press conference held in August 2023.  

CNI News
16 September 2023

There are discussions among the political community what impacts on politics and diplomatic affairs could arise from the meeting of ASEAN air force chiefs.

The meeting was attended by air force chiefs from Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam and air force chiefs from the Philippines and Singapore discussed by sending video messages, which the State Administration Council reported on 13th September.

There were reviews whether the meeting could impact on the diplomatic competition between the State Administration and the National Unity Government.

The organization that currently holds the three powers of Myanmar is the country's government and the SAC has an advantage in the diplomatic affairs, said U Thein Tun Oo from the Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies, to CNI News.

ASEAN Air Force Chiefs Meeting was being held on 13th September 2023

" That is clear. The organization that works, holding three powers - administration, legislation and judiciary is a government, existing government, in other words, an  official government. It is no match for an organization that cannot open an office systematically and that is pleased with itself to be met with some countries. The SAC has had an advantage from the very beginning. May be some people think that the SAC doesn't have an advantage." said U Thein Tun Oo.

General Tun Aung, the SAC's Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force had a collective meeting with Air Force Chiefs of ASEAN members and met with them individually on 13th September, 2023, said in the statement released by the SAC.

The Air Force Chiefs from Malaysia and Indonesia did not attend the meeting and did not send the video messages reportedly.

Currently, ASEAN was making preparations to solve the Myanmar issue, said Mahn Aung Pyi Soe from the Karen National Democratic Party, to CNI News.

General Tun Aung seen on 13th September, 2023

" ASEAN is making preparations to solve the Myanmar issue. As a military meeting was held here in Myanmar, the SAC might have a little improvement in its diplomatic affairs. Indonesia and Malaysia are the countries that didn't like our country since before. That's why they didn't attend the meeting. The SAC was successful in the diplomatic affairs to an extent, I think." he said.

As a result of the political landscape that changed after 1st February 2021, Myanmar is facing with various crises. Although ASEAN agreed to the five-point consensus to solve the political crisis of Myanmar, the consensus has not been able to be implemented.

Myanmar attendance in the ASEAN meetings has been restricted.

On the other hand, most ASEAN members attended the 20th ASEAN Air Force Chiefs Meeting hosted by Myanmar.

CNI News

15 September 2023

The number of Myanmar nationals who enter the Chinese side with one-time use Temporary Border Pass (TBP) daily is up to 700, said U Htay, chairman of the Humanitarian Aid Delivery Network, to CNI news agency. 

Because people from Myanmar side were allowed to enter the Chinese side with TBP cards that are seven days valid starting from  4th September, the number of people from the Myanmar side who had entered the Chinese side has been over 8,000 to date reportedly.

Although the TBP card is given for travelling, Myanmar nationals go to work in the Chinese side. So, the number of people who are waiting to get the TBP cards is almost 10,000, said U Htay. 

while seeing Myanmar citizens at the Muse border gate

"  Passport book and TBP are not given for job, but for visiting and doing business. We still don't know how many people have been arrested. If the employers guarantee, these Myanmar people can work there. When they need labor force, they probably weigh their law. When the labors have increased now, a worker who was paid 3,000 in the past is paid only 1,500 to 2,000 yuans now. Although there is a market for skilled workers, it is not easy for ordinary workers. We don't want Myanmar people to go there like that. If they stay at guesthouses or hotels or rented houses, they will report the guest list at the ward and police station concerned. They will report the guest list in Chinese." he said.

When applying for the TBP, it is mainly necessary to have an original citizen registration card. Because the kind of national registration card has not been limited, anyone of Myanmar nationals holding citizen registration card can apply for TBP after giving not more than 2,000 kyats reportedly.

Because Myanmar people holding TBP cards are allowed to enter the Chinese side, some people working in Laukkai entered China and are changing their workplaces, said business people.

while seeing Myanmar citizens at the Muse border gate

" For the time being, there are not many travelers in Laukkai. As foreigners are not allowed to come there, job opportunities have decreased. Some workers there go to Muse. Many Myanmar workers have arrived at the Muse gate to work at Ruili and Kyel Gaung. And Many workers from Laukkai also are going to Muse to work in the Chinese side with the TBP cards. Myanmar people enter the Chinese side with the TBP cards and after seven days, they return and renew the cards." said U Zaw Zaw, chairman of the Northern Shan State Hotel Entrepreneurs Association.

Most of Myanmar people have to apply for the TBP card only at Nandaw Gate and Sinphyu and truck drivers and their helpers must apply at Man Wein Gate.

Although entering with the TBP cards has been allowed from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., only 300 people can be sent from one gate reportedly.

Applicants' hands are being marked with stamp to prevent selling tokens from brokers reportedly. If the TBP cards were issued from Mant Hero, Kyin San Kyawt and Pan Sai gates, it would be more convenient, which people suggested.

CNI News

15 September 2023

The Kalay-Tamu road that could not used for three months due to territorial instabilities as a result of battles that took place in Sagaing Region, after which it could be used again this week, said Tamu residents. 

Although the road could be re-used, the security is not still in a safe situation, and the amount of money paid for toll gate is much reportedly. Moreover, due to high transportation costs, commodity prices have gone double higher than before, said Ko Ye Lin Aung, a Tamu resident, to CNI News.

"The security is not reliably safe for the time being. But the road has been re-opened. The tolls are quite much. We have to pay much more money for transportation charges because commodities are carried by motorcycles. You have to pay 30,000 or 40,000 kyats for transportation charge of a bag of rice. So, the rice prices have gone three times higher. There is no out of stock. But commodity prices have gone double higher." he said.

The Kalay-Tamu Road

Although the Kalay-Tamu road has been reopened, locals are worried that the road will be closed again because territorial stability has not been reliable. 

During the period when the road was closed, Tamu residents found it difficult to receive proper medical treatment and but now because the road has been reopened, it has been convenient for them, said U Khin Maung Win, a trader from Tamu, to CNI News.

" To reopen the road is good for Tamu residents. They found it difficult to go or come for their health before the road is reopened. The number of physicians is not sufficient in Tamu. Beause the road is reopened, it has been convenient for Tamu residents." he said. 

During the time when the road was closed, commodities were carried through other routes. Because these routes could not used by trucks, commodities were carried by motorcycles, which made the transportation charges were much more. So, commodity prices also went up greatly reportedly.  

In Tamu, the current rice price is about 150,000 kyats per bag and the price of diesel or gasoline is about 20,000 kyats per gallon, said U Khin Maung Win. 

Nam Phar Lon Market in Tamu

" Here in Tamu, the price of Ayermin rice was 140,000 to 150,000 kyats per bag not very long ago. The price of gasoline or diesel was about 20,000 kyats per gallon or above 20,000 kyats sometimes. The price of peanut oil was about 200,000 kyats for ten viss ( 1 viss= 3.6 lb) and palm oil, over 100,000 kyats." said U Khin Maung Win to CNI News.

Although the Kalay-Tamu Road has been reopened, the trade between Tamu and India has not been able to be conducted due to racial riots taking place in India reportedly. 

The Kalay-Tamu road can be used from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and it can be convenient for ones who take citizen registration cards with them when they use the road, said Tamu residents.

CNI News

14 September 2023

Tourism would not improve as long as tourists are being taking to pagodas and the number of tourists from abroad would not increase, said U Zaw Zaw, chairman of the Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, (northern Shan State), to CNI News. 

In the Myanmar tourism sector, regularly, taking tourists to flagship pagodas and monthly festivals which was boring for tourists and different festivals, programs and tourist areas should be explored, he said.

" We need to know what international tourists want to know and see if they come here. It wouldn't be okay if you show pagodas only. We need to show them beautiful things in our country and we need to create things that they are interested in. If you want Chinese tourists to come here, you should know what they like and need. If you want Russian tourists, it would be the same. Rather than you invite them without having anything to show, not inviting them would be better. if they go back after knowing that there is nothing here, it might prevent next comers not to come here. It wouldn't be convenient to show around the pagodas alone. Only people from Buddhist countries come to Bagan as pilgrims. People from  Christian countries come to Bagan because they want to have been to Bagan. They won't come to Bagan again. Which citizen do we want to come here? It depends on that." he said. 

Tourists who come to U Bein Bridge near Amarapura in Mandalay Region

Moreover, if there are businessmen who want to create new tourist destinations, the department concerned should collaborate with them, said business people.

At present, when the foreign tourists enter the country through border gates, if they have bought internationally-applied health insurance, they don't have to health insurance from Myanmar insurance enterprise. 

In the past, as foreign tourists had to buy any more of health insurance in Myanmar, it made them inconvenient, said travel operators.

In the past, when some citizens applied for e-visas, there were rejects because the applications were not consistent with the designations. So, visas should also be relaxed and visa on arrival should be granted, said U Thet Lwin Toe, a travel entrepreneur, to CNI News. 

" Visa on arrival should be granted. Now visa on arrival will be granted to Indian and Chinese citizens, according to the cabinet meeting held on 30th August. I'm not sure visa on arrival will cost 30 US dollar or 50 US dollars like in the past. Regular rate is just 30 US dollars. Online visa costs 20 US dollars more. The citizens who get visa on arrival apply for visas at the Yangon Airport. This is more convenient. Because Thailand knew that and had granted Chinese citizens, a lot of Chinese went to Thailand. Some citizens who find it difficult to take visa should be granted visa on arrival." he said.

At present the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism carrying out for further development of tourism after inviting Chinese investors. 

Over 300,000 foreign tourists entered Myanmar from January to May in 2023, according to the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism.

CNI News

14 September 2023

Although Vietnam has offered to buy 10,000 tons of sugar from Myanmar, the sugar will be exported to it next year, as giving a priority to the domestic consumption, according to the Myanmar Sugar and Cane Related Products Association.

Myanmar has received offers from many countries to buy Myanmar sugar while the current price of sugar is high and the sugar will be exported to those countries, weighing the amount of sugar that will be yielded later in the sugarcane season, said U Win Htay, vice chairman of the Myanmar Sugar and Cane Related Products Association, to CNI News.

Sugarcane peasants

" We have received offers from many countries. We can't sell for the time being. We can sell in the 2023-2024. 10,000 tons of sugar that Vietnam has offered will be exported in the coming sugarcane season as a priority. We'll have to negotiate the offers in October and November. We'll start exporting in late December, January and February." he said. 

Vietnam is the country that buys Myanmar sugar most and about 90,000 tons of Myanmar sugar has been exported to that country this year reportedly.

2023 - 2024 sugar export will be more than this year, said a sugar trader to CNI News.

While making sugar

" Sugar mills have already estimated the sugar yield by now. They are making a quota how many tons they will sell in the domestic market and how many tons they will export abroad. I'm sure 2023-2024 sugar yield will be more than this year." he said.

Currently, there are more than 50,000 tons of sugar left in the country and that amount is enough before new sugar comes out, according to the Myanmar Sugar and Cane Related Products Association. 

Myanmar produces more than 450,000 tons of sugar per year and domestic consumption is over 300,000 tons, and surplus sugar is exported to Vietnam. and the Philippines and China.

CNI News

14 September 2023

The Tatmadaw and militia forces have conducted more checks, said Tar Aleik, head of Muse Township of the Ta,ang National Liberation Army, to CNI News. 

More checks are being mainly conducted on the main road and in the streets of Muse and the people there are also not convenient in the economy, he said.

" For the time being, they ( the Tatmadaw) are always active. We haven't found anything different. But downtown is being toughly checked. Militias are also used. If the innocent people don't know how to speak, they are punched and beaten. During the period when the battles were breaking out, if you went downtown Muse by car, they would ask you 30,000 kyats. All the cars that are going in the town from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. are arrested. At present, if you go downtown or on the main road, you won't be convenient. When the people are not convenient in the economy, that they do like this worsens the situation." said Tar Aleik.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing meeting with the militia leaders of northern Shan State

The battles between the Tatmadaw and the TNLA had broken out again in northern Shan State since early August. 

But he had not heard that checks were being more conducted in Muse, said a truck driver to CNI News.

" I heard nothing about it because I'm at 5 mile. There are no checks at 5 mile and 105 mile. We are going. But we have to pay some money along the way." he said. 

TNLA Force

There has been no longer military tension between the Tatmadaw and the TNLA in Muse Township for the time being, said Tar Aleik.

" Sometimes they start fighting. We stay where we are. There is no fighting during the past few days. They opened fire randomly towards where we are about one week ago day and night. We are cleaning up the unexploded ordnance that they fired in the village." he said.

More battles ensued between the Tatmadaw and the TNLA/PDF joint forces in Muse, Namkham and Kutkai in northern Shan State, and around Mogok and Nawnghkio near Mandalay Region during the past week.