Date: January 10, 2024
Nay Pyi Taw: Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the Chairman of the Myanmar ruling council SAC, engaged in discussions yesterday with Mr. Alounkeo Kittikhoun, the special envoy for ASEAN Chair, at the capital city Nay Pyi Taw. The meeting focused on the implementation of ASEAN’s Five Points Consensus in alignment with SAC’s Road Map, as reported by the State Media.
Recently appointed as the ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar, Alounkeo Kittikhoun embarked on his inaugural diplomatic mission outside Laos, the current rotating Chair of ASEAN. Upon arriving in Myanmar, the envoy initiated talks with officials representing various stakeholders in the country.
The Senior General and the Special Envoy engaged in discussions concerning the amicable relations between Myanmar and Laos. Their talks encompassed a range of topics, including addressing state responsibilities stemming from alleged voting frauds in the 2020 Multi-Party Democracy General Election, the current situation involves resorting to armed violence instead of advocating for political resolutions to settle political disagreements., collaborative efforts dedicated to fostering stability and national reconciliation, and affirming the commitment of the Military (Tatmadaw) to the Multi-Party Democracy path that resonates with the aspirations of the people.
Additionally, they emphasized Myanmar's full cooperation in the delivery of humanitarian aid and prioritized tasks to be implemented during the 2024 ASEAN Chair's term.
The meeting was attended by SAC Joint Secretary Lt. General Ye Win Oo, Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe, and officials accompanying Senior General. The Special Envoy was accompanied by the Laos Ambassador to Myanmar and other officials.
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8 January 2024
Myanmar's Navy Chief, Admiral Moe Aung, received the appointment as the Union Minister for the Office of the Chairman of the State Administration Council through Order 3/2024 issued on January 8, 2024, by the SAC. Another order, 4/2024, similarly confirmed his role as an Advisor for National Security Affairs to both the SAC Chairman and the SAC.
Vice-Admiral Zwe Win Myint, who previously served as the Chief of Staff (Navy), has been promoted to the position of Navy Chief, according to information from a source closely associated with the military. Typically, military reshufflings are not publicly disclosed.
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5 January, 2024
Myanmar's State Administration Council (SAC) Chairman, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, held discussions on January 5th with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong in Nay Pyi Taw regarding the ongoing collaborative efforts aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the border region.
The border issue was one of the topics discussed during the meeting between the visiting Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who also serves as the Prime Minister. This meeting took place on the morning of January 5th at the Military Guest House in Nay Pyi Taw, according to a press release from the State Administration Council (SAC).
They also shared perspectives on the status of amicable cooperation within the PaukPhaw friendship, discussed issues related to enhancing collaboration between the two countries, and deliberated on ongoing efforts to ensure peace and stability in the border region, as stated in the press release.
The meeting was attended by SAC Joint Secretary Lt General Ye Win Oo, Minister for Home Affairs Lt General Yar Pyae, Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe, and other officials, along with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. On the Chinese side, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai, Special Envoy for Asian Affairs Deng Xijun, and other representatives were also present.
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4 January 2024
In honor of Myanmar's 76th Independence Day, the State Administration Council (SAC) ordered sentence commutations for a total of 9,766 prisoners, comprising 9,652 local inmates and 114 foreign detainees on January 4, 2023,
Under Order No. 1/2024, as part of the commemoration of the (76th) Independence Day and centered on promoting peace of mind for the populace on humanitarian grounds, 9,652 local prisoners serving terms across diverse prisons and camps have been granted sentence commutation in accordance with Section 401, subsection 1 of the Criminal Procedure Code. This commutation is subject to the condition that any future criminal offenses will require the individuals to serve the sentence for the new crime, alongside the completion of their remaining sentences.
In Order No. 2/2024, marking the (76th) anniversary of Independence Day and reflecting the amiable relations between both nations, 114 foreign prisoners incarcerated across multiple prisons have been granted sentence commutation and subsequently exiled in accordance with Section 401, subsection 1 of the Criminal Procedure Code, under humanitarian considerations. This commutation is also subject to the condition that any future criminal offenses will require the individuals to serve the sentence for the new crime, alongside the completion of their remaining sentences.
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27 December , 2023
On December 26th, in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar's capital, a significant step was taken in the development of the Kyauk Phyu Special Economic Zone. The signing of the Addendum to the Concession Agreement for the deep-sea port project marks a substantial commitment from China, signifying an investment of millions of dollars dedicated to the project's realization.
Kyauk Pyu town is located on the coast of the Bay of Bengal and is a place of great strategic value for future development. Therefore, it has been designated as a special economic zone and international investments have been invited, said Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister of Transport and Communications, General Mya Tun Oo, who is also a member of the State Administration Council and a member of the Central Committee on Myanmar Special Economic Zones.
General Mya Tun Oo expressed confidence that the deep-sea port projects within the Kyauk Phyu SEZ would significantly bolster Myanmar's economic development through substantial investments.
General Mya Tun Oo highlighted that the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) spans 1,700 kilometers, traversing China's Yunnan Province, linking Kunming to Mandalay City in central Myanmar, and ultimately leading to Kyauk Phyu City, serving as the western sea outlet.
He mentioned that following the signing of the project agreement, the project's implementation has faced a delay of over two years, primarily due to the widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, ongoing negotiations between the Kyauk Phyu Special Economic Zone Management Committee and CITIC have contributed to this delay.
He outlined that to swiftly reinstate the deep-sea port project, it's imperative to enhance the comprehensiveness of the prior Concession Agreement and ensure a clearer, more precise understanding. Consequently, today's signing of the Addendum aims to achieve this objective.
He elaborated that this project serves not only to enhance trade and economic collaboration between Myanmar and China but also offers a strategic corridor. Leveraging this corridor, the transportation of goods imported from South Asia, West Asia, and Africa to mainland China will be expedited, resulting in significant time and cost savings.
The Kyauk Phyu Deep Sea Port project represents Myanmar's inaugural internationally recognized deep sea port. This project includes the simultaneous implementation of an industrial park within the Kyauk Phyu Special Economic Zone, complementing the construction of the port.
General Mya Tun Oo expressed a desire for the swift implementation of the project, hoping for increased cooperation between Myanmar and China across multiple sectors, such as trade and investment.
Following that, U Aung Naing Oo, who serves as the chairman of the central working committee for Myanmar Special Economic Zones and as the union minister for the Union Government office(1), alongside the Chairman of China’s CITIC and the Charge d'affaires of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, provided clarification concerning the signing of the Addendum to the Concession Agreement.
After that, for the implementation of the deep sea port project within the Kyauk Phyu Special Economic Zone, an addendum that supplements the Concession Agreement was signed by U Kyaw Shwe Tun, Chairman of the Kyauk Phyu Special Economic Zone Management Committee, and Mr. Liang Chuanxin, Director of the Kyauk Phyu Special Economic Zone Deep Sea Port Company Limited.
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19 December,
In a press release issued by the SAC information team, it was emphatically stated that the report from Khit Thit, an illegal subversive media outlet, alleging the deaths of 10 security personnel due to an attack involving approximately 200 rounds of artillery on the headquarters of the 101st Infantry Division in Pakokku and a military camp in Ahnauk PhoneKan village, is entirely false and constitutes fake news.
Based on the results of the on-site investigation, it was determined that explosions occurred in the vicinity of the villages as a result of indiscriminate firing by terrorist insurgents using homemade weapon. Additionally, the report claiming the death of 10 soldiers has been confirmed as false news.
A press release stated that the illegal subversive media is reportedly disseminating solely false information on social networking sites, purportedly to obscure the actions of terrorist insurgents and undermine the morale of the security forces.
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19 December (YMG)
Yangon's relentless battle against its infamous traffic congestion receives a promising ray of hope with the ongoing construction of the Bago River Bridge, referred to as Thanlyin Bridge No. 3.
This ambitious project, aimed at easing the city's traffic gridlock, is swiftly nearing its final stages.
Serving as a crucial link between the vibrant Thilawa Special Economic Zone and the pulsating heart of Yangon City, this monumental infrastructure endeavor is inching towards completion, currently boasting an impressive 94 percent finalization rate.
The construction of the Bago River Bridge, also known as Thanlyin Bridge No. 3, began in 2013, leveraging advanced technology and a collaborative effort involving the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Myanmar’s Ministry of Planning and Finance, the Ministry of Construction, and other pertinent ministries.
The Bago River Bridge, classified as a Steel Suspension Bridge or cable-stayed bridge, spans a total length of 8,638 feet. This comprises a river crossing section extending 6,663 feet and an overpass section stretching 1,975 feet. The bridge boasts a width of 75 feet and accommodates four lanes of traffic, with dedicated 5-foot motorcycle lanes on either side.
The bridge can support vehicles weighing up to 75 tons each.
Upon its full completion, the bridge is poised to alleviate the traffic congestions plaguing Thanlyin Bridge No. 1. This development holds significant promise for the Thilawa Special Economic Zone and surrounding regions, including Yangon's southern districts like Thanlyin, fortifying their socio-economic landscape amid an influx of foreign businesses.
The transformative impact won't be limited to the development of the Thilawa Special Economic Zone and Thanlyin. It will also leverage the East-West Economic Corridor, linking Hpa-an -Myawaddy and facilitating enhanced connectivity with Mon State.
This vital infrastructure isn't limited to local advantages. It's set to enhance communication and strengthen development connections with neighboring regional countries, fostering a wider network of growth and cooperation, as gathered from reports.
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