Junta sea-use restrictions imposed for China-backed Made Island projects work

By Admin 05 Jul 2024

DMG Newsroom
5 July 2024, Kyaukphyu

Myanmar’s military regime has banned local people in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, from travelling in the waters around Made Island for two-and-a-half months as it says it is going to carry out work related to the Chinese-backed projects there.

The regime announced on July 2 that waterway repair and dredging work would be carried out from July 15 to September 30 to allow large oil tankers to enter and exit the port on Made Island.

The regime said that the channel dredging area, a temporary shelter area in case of bad weather and the soil accumulation area have been defined.

The regime announced a ban during the dredging period on large or small ships, cargo boats, fishing boats, other motorised vessels, as well as anchoring, fishing, or placing of fishing equipment within 500 metres of the waterway maintenance work area and 250 metres from the weather disaster shelter area.

Local residents who depend on the affected waters say they expect to face difficulties due to the regime’s restrictions.

“About 80 percent of the locals make a living from marine industries. If the fishing ban lasts more than two months, it will be difficult for people who make a living from fishing. Another thing is that local residents may have difficulties in travelling for emergencies,” said a local man in Kyaukphyu.

Observers of foreign projects note that the regime is implementing activities related to the Chinese project while the military and Arakkha Army (AA) are fighting fiercely in Arakan State.

“The regime is implementing Chinese projects due to Chinese pressure amid ongoing fighting. China will not affect their projects at all. Another thing is that the regime is no longer able to resist the AA’s battles for control of towns and wants to take China’s help to protect it,” said U Tun Kyi, a political analyst in Arakan State.

China reportedly provided six patrol vessels to the regime’s maritime police last month.

The regime has imposed travel restrictions in Kyaukphyu Township and clashes between the military and AA are often reported in the area.

The regime and China’s CITIC on December 26 signed a concession agreement for the Kyaukphyu deep seaport. The port has 10 berths and has been touted as having the capacity to handle 7 million 20-ft containers annually.