Amid escalating conflict, hundreds of Chinese nationals arrive in Kyaukphyu 

By Admin 03 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
3 May 2024, Kyaukphyu

Amid intense fighting between junta troops and the Arakkha Army (AA) in Arakan State, a ship carrying more than 300 Chinese nationals and machinery arrived at Maday Island in Kyaukphyu Township, the site of a China-backed special economic zone (SEZ), on April 28, according to residents.

Among the Chinese citizens are hundreds of technicians who overnight at hotels in Kyaukphyu town and spend their days on Maday Island, site of the SEZ’s deep-sea port project, according to a Kyaukphyu resident. The ship left on April 30 after machinery was unloaded, he added.

An Arakanese politician said the arrival of hundreds of Chinese citizens is a sign that the regime is playing the “project card” to coax China into pressuring the AA to stop fighting.

“It appears that the regime expects that Chinese citizens working at the special economic zone will help decrease the AA’s offensive to a certain extent,” he said.

The regime and Chinese state-owned firm CITIC signed an addendum to the concession agreement for the Kyaukphyu deep seaport in December. The regime did not disclose details.

A social activist from Kyaukphyu Township said he doubted that the project could proceed as planned.

“Kyaukphyu is part of the war zone and it will be difficult to implement the SEZ. The AA chief has also told Kyaukphyu residents to leave the town,” he said.

AA chief Twan Mrat Naing on April 10 urged residents to evacuate their homes in Sittwe and Kyaukphyu as the AA was preparing for a decisive battle for control of Arakan State.

There have been a few clashes between the regime and the AA in Kyaukphyu Township. Amid heightened military tensions, the regime has brought in more troops and also carried out artillery and drone strikes on villages, said residents.

The regime has also blockaded roads and waterways in Kyaukphyu Township while arbitrarily arresting civilians.