China's $10 billion project fuels anger in Myanmar

China is implementing a billion-dollar seaport and industrial park project in Myanmar's poorest state, but without consulting local people and bringing in all Chinese workers.

An oil tanker dock at Maday Island, Kyauk Pyu province, Myanmar - Photo: Reuters

The Kyauk Pyu Special Economic Zone, located on Ramree Island in Rakhine State, is one of the symbols of Myanmar's transition away from its military-led rule.

The 1,600-hectare land, developed by Chinese state-owned company CITIC, includes a $7.3 billion port and a $2.3 billion industrial park that promises to bring 100,000 jobs to Rakhine state, the scene of conflict with the government army and Myanmar's poorest state.

However, many Myanmar people in this area assert that the project was approved without regard to their opinions or lives, according to Reuters.

Census data shows that 20,000 villagers, most of whom depend on agriculture and fishing, are at risk of being displaced or having to change jobs. Hundreds of fishermen have even been banned from fishing near the 770km pipeline from Myanmar to southwestern China.

Even when “creating jobs”, Chinese companies are accused of hiring only Chinese people and not Myanmar people.

Reuters news agency on June 9 cited data saying that of the more than 3,000 people living on Maday Island, the gateway to the oil pipeline, only 47 people work for Petrochina, while the number of Chinese workers is more than double.

According to Tuoitre.vn