Negotiation between China and Myanmar government still underway to change the size, scale or location of the Myitsone dam project in Kachin State

Negotiations are underway to change the size, scale or location of the Myitsone dam project in Kachin State, U Thaung Tun, Minister of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations, told the media at the Myanmar Investment Summit in Nay Pyi Taw.

A special commission comprising of senior government officials has been formed to review the Myitsone dam project and will release a report on the matter.

The Myitsone project does not involve just the dam but includes various other projects. As such, officials are working on a solution, which could involve changing the size or location of the project to avoid adverse impact to local communities or the environment, U Thaung Tun said.

The project had been suspended during U Thein Sein’s administration and is currently still under review by the government. 

Following Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Hong Liang’s visit to Kachin State in December, the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China in Myanmar in a January 13 statement said delaying the Myitsone project may affect the confidence of investors in Myanmar, adding that the project is crucial for generating power required in the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor. 

“Both China and Myanmar are making efforts to find a suitable solution as soon as possible to the Myitsone project that would be acceptable to both sides. We expect the support of people in Kachin State in implementing the project,” he was quoted as saying to the Kachin people and Kachin parties.

“No project can be allowed at Myitsone, which is owned not only by Kachin people but by all Myanmar people. If anything happens as a result of a dam constructed at Myitsone, it will have dangerous consequences. So, all must ensure that no dam is constructed on May Kha and Malikha rivers which are the lifeblood of the Ayeyarwady River,” said Daw Khon Ja from the Kachin Peace Network NGO.

During his conversation with the media, U Thaung Tun said the public’s anxiety over Myitsone should not be ignored, but added that “the river is important for our country and electricity is also necessary for development of the country.”

He said that under the previous agreement, 90 percent of the electricity generated from Myitsone is slated for export to China. “But today, China can produce electricity exceeding its domestic needs. So, they will return the electricity back to our country,” he said, adding that the project should continue as companies have already invested heavily in it.

“In fact, there are many places in Myanmar conducive for implementing hydropower projects. So we are looking at other locations to execute the project so we can produce the electricity needed by the country without impacting the locals and the environment,” he said.

(The Myanmar Times: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/dam-project-may-go-ahead-scale-or-location-could-change.html )

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