The Irrawaddy Magazine |
- ‘China is Fundamentally Very Sensitive About its Sovereignty’
- Yep, It’s Cool
- The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (June 6, 2015)
| ‘China is Fundamentally Very Sensitive About its Sovereignty’ Posted: 05 Jun 2015 05:30 PM PDT  On this weeks edition of Dateline Irrawaddy, Kyaw Zwa Moe and Khet Htan are joined by China expert Than Soe Naing. (Photo: The Irrawaddy) On this week's edition of Dateline Irrawaddy, the panel discusses live-fire military exercises by the People's Liberation Army, held earlier this week near Kokang territory on the China-Burma border. Kyaw Zwa Moe: Welcome to this week's Dateline Irrawaddy. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China commenced military drills today, June 2, at the China-Myanmar border. We'll be discussing why the PLA is conducting military exercises and whether it will affect the foreign policies of or relations between the two countries. U Thaing Soe Naing, who has a comprehensive knowledge of both Myanmar and China, and Ko Khet Htan, editor of The Irrawaddy's Burmese edition, will join me for the discussion. I am Irrawaddy English editor Kyaw Zwa Moe. The PLA began military drills at the border today. As far as I know, the exercise is the first of its kind. According to PLA, aviation, artillery, air defense, infantry, missile and radar units are participating in the drill and infantry units are also involved. Over the last few months, bombs fired from Myanmar fell on China and some Chinese citizens were killed and injured. So we can accordingly conclude that the drill is being performed in response to these incidents. How serious is this exercise? Will it be a threat to the Myanmar government? Thaing Soe Naing: In my opinion, China is not happy with the fact that shells fired from Myanmar fell on its territory and is not also satisfied with the way the Myanmar government and military handled it. After the first incident, Myanmar apologized for it and provided compensation for Chinese victims. But then shells fell on China again. China is fundamentally very sensitive about its sovereignty and territory. KZM: So is Myanmar and so is almost every nation. TSN: Yes, they are. But China thinks diplomatic means alone are not enough to handle this. The PLA understands that these incidents may continue to happen as long as the war goes on between the Kokang rebels and the Myanmar Army. So, this is the reason they are conducting the military exercise. But then, they are not conducting the exercise on a large scale along a border that stretches over 1,200 miles in total. They are mainly operating around Lincang city, which is close to Wa State and Kokang Region. The military exercise is a limited one and I don't think it is a threat, but it is a comprehensive preparation for deterrence operations. KZM: But at the same time, looking back to Myanmar's politics of the recent past, especially after U Thein Sein government came into power, Myanmar has become closer to western countries, including the US. Will this have an enduring impact on China's policy towards Myanmar? TSN: With regard to China's overall strategic relationship, China is very careful or cautious about its relationship with US. Myanmar has undergone a democratic transition and it wants to accelerate cooperation with Western countries, including the US. Myanmar politicians refer to it as the government 'switching bosom'. This transition period is very delicate and there are things we need to handle with extra caution. Khet Htan: Previously, US and western countries imposed economic sanctions on Myanmar. China was a benefactor of the Myanmar government and military as well as their protector in the international arena. Then, Myanmar underwent a transition when U Thein Sein government came into power. As Myanmar lies beside a powerful country, U Thein Sein government had to open communication channels to deal with China. Then, US adopted an engagement policy to persuade the military to change its mindset and organizational structure. I think China will take all this into serious consideration. Myanmar has had to change its position, as it needs to engage with all countries. There was give and take between two countries as China stood as protector of the Myanmar government. Myanmar is a part of China's energy sufficiency strategic plan as the country gives China oil and gas resources. There have been many factors at play before the Kokang war broke out, leading to these live-fire military exercises. KZM: But from the point of view of the Myanmar government, I don't think it would risk that much with regard to China. In the past, especially after 1988, China was the only country that protected Myanmar like a shield. As Ko Khet Htan has said, China tried to protect Myanmar against international sanctions and continuously called for lifting sanctions. It is a neighbor of Myanmar. So, I doubt Myanmar will break off its relations with China. I think it would try to get on well with any country. TNS: Yes, it needs to try to maintain cordial relations with all. But the military itself, as reported by Bertil Lintner, thinks that they need to stop their dependence on China. As Myanmar is undergoing a democratic transition, it seems that the Myanmar government wants to stop its dependence on China through military cooperation with the US, who will provide training to some Myanmar army officers. Also the military was invited to observe Thai-US joint military drills. These things deserve due consideration from China. Considering these things, China may be concerned that the Myanmar military will cooperate with armies of the US and Europe. KZM: China may also view its relationship with the Myanmar military and government separately. It seems that China gives more attention to its relationship with the military. Recently, Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing visited Pakistan and Serbia. The heads of foreign armies also occasionally pay a call on him. What is you view Ko Khet Htan? KH: Before the PLA started military drills, the commander-in-chief of the Russian Army was on a visit to Myanmar and met Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing on June 1. This is the visit of high-level military delegation from a powerful country. This should be taken into account. We are a small country and we get stuck in superpower contests. KZM: Of Myanmar's military-to-military relations with western countries, China may be more concerned with the relationship between Myanmar and the US. So, how are military-to-military relations between the two developing? The US may have been providing training on human rights issues. How much impact will this relationship have on the ties between China and Myanmar? TNS: I think the US is not politically ready to establish a military-to-military relationship with Myanmar. It will not unless Myanmar carries out true democratic reforms. So far, the US's proposal for developing military-to-military relationship with Myanmar is limited to giving training on human rights and invitations to observe military drills. The US and EU still have an arms embargo on Myanmar. Unless and until civil war comes to an end in Myanmar, the US would not establish a military-to-military relationship. KZM: Today the Global Times, the mouthpiece of Chinese government presented a news story in which a retired colonel of PLA said the Myanmar military's transgressions had gone beyond China's tolerance level. Do you hear anything about the military's view of it? Or what is you view on it, Ko Khet Htan? KH: The fight occurred at the Chinese border. China is in close proximity to the Kokang army and the military is finding it difficult to fight the rebels. It may be unavoidable that shells fired by the military fall onto China. Although China says they cannot tolerate this any more, the Myanmar Army has to continue the fight because it suffered heavy casualties, which it would view as a loss of dignity. So, I don't think they will stop halfway after they have lost that much. Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing has also said that the military would annihilate the Kokang rebels. They said they are not responsible for latest incident of shells falling on China and that it was done by Kokang rebels to mislead China. Although the army might be careful about its artillery attacks in the future, it would continue fighting the Kokang, I think. KZM: But then, the military says it has taken control of most of the places there. It is unlikely that there will be many clashes. TNS: The military can take control of the region, but according to the last 60 years of history, I don't think the military can handle all the people fighting in the Kokang rebellion. So, I would like to suggest that the army doe not use airplanes, artillery and the like near the Chinese border. What is more important is it needs to bring the Kokang group as a member of United Nationalities Federal Council for peace negotiations. If the problem with the Kokang rebels is solved, then problem with China will also be solved, I think. KZM: Saya U Than Soe Naing, Ko Khet Htan, thank you for your discussion. The post 'China is Fundamentally Very Sensitive About its Sovereignty' appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Posted: 05 Jun 2015 05:00 PM PDT Click to view slideshow. RANGOON — Fahrenheit, in many ways, is all about the middle ground. The newly opened "craft" cocktail bar serves Mexican-fusion food, but it's not a Mexican-themed restaurant. It is an LGBTQ friendly space, but it's not looking to be a "gay bar." It serves Western fare and imported beer, but Fahrenheit won't be charging US$20 for a sandwich. Owner Jeewee summed it up when he said, "On a Friday afternoon, all the 'diplomatic types' can go to The Sailing Club, and the rest of us can come to Fahrenheit." The view from Fahrenheit's outdoor seating on 52nd and Bogyoke Road is definitely more chaotic than the placid lake sunsets over Inya lake, but there's something incredibly refreshing about the casual no-nonsense vibe that's due in part to the fact that the most dedicated waiters are the owners themselves. The brainchild of Fab Party organizers Jeewee and two friends, Fahrenheit is dripping with personality. It has steered clear of the posh, reclaimed, colonial interiors and leather couches that are increasingly popular in downtown venues. Instead, art inspired by sign language lines the walls that have not been turned into blackboards, lending the place a cool, upscale feel that's combined with a menu where nothing costs over US$8. One thing that's remarkable about the Yangon restaurant scene is how patient and understanding patrons are willing to be as venues get off their feet. Many new players in the restaurant market are individuals with big dreams and strong friendships but little restaurant experience, and yet none of the customers around me seemed to hold that against the Fahrenheit crew despite problems with food availability and slow service. No guacamole? No problem, the nearest table exclaimed, noting that at the time the restaurant was still in its "beta" phase. No burrito wraps for chimichangas? In my case, that meant doubling down on the tacos, and I readied myself for the series of cheesy, fried, spicy, Mexican-inspired dishes that were about to come my way. The kitchen at Fahrenheit is headed by a woman whose culinary background is actually in French fine dining. She has embraced the challenge of making tortillas in-house and sourcing ingredients locally whenever possible. She was still smiling on a Thursday night after a hectic week in which Fahrenheit all of a sudden became the most popular restaurant in Yangon. Her fish tacos are definitely something to smile about. Lightly fried, served with a generous dose of Fahrenheit's "yellow secret sauce," they make for incredibly hearty bar food. It was clear from that first bite that the kind of cuisine this chef is aiming for is far from the gourmet delicacies of her former workplaces. Just as the venue is practical, the food is aiming for a rich quality rather than for subtlety and complexity. Take the sweet pork quesadillas. They are absolutely satisfying in a guilt-inducing, plastic-wrapped-cheese-slices kind of way. This does not sound the slightest bit appealing until you take one bite of the wonderfully balanced creamy, chewy, salty, tortilla-encased pork morsels. Once you do, it's hard to stop. That said, the cuisine is still a bit of a hit or miss; while the pork tacos were great, their chicken counterparts were lacking in flavor and didn't come with rice, like the pork did, raising concerns about the reliability of the food. Will it be good sometimes and less so other times? This may be worked out in the coming weeks, as the restaurant has just ended its trial opening period and is now fully operational. As it stands, the place excels in personality and atmosphere even if the food isn't yet stellar. The owners clearly have a strong vision of what they'd like Fahrenheit to be, and the décor and friendliness of the staff is already making it a place to return to—not just once or twice, but often. The venue is so welcoming, in fact, that Jeewee may have been onto something when he suggested that I let others enjoy their romantic sunsets by the lake while I sip on a cold beer, nibble on some fish tacos, and watch the day turn slowly into night among the chaotic, noisy rumblings of downtown. Fahrenheit is located at 38 Bogyoke Road in Yangon, open daily from 5pm to 11pm. This article originally appeared in the June 2015 issue of The Irrawaddy magazine. The post Yep, It's Cool appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (June 6, 2015) Posted: 05 Jun 2015 04:30 PM PDT  Burma's rice exports to Europe have more than doubled in a year. (Photo: JPaing / The Irrawaddy) Burma's Exports Rile Regional Rice Rival Burma's rice exports to Europe have reportedly more than doubled in a year as the country's producers begin to challenge regional rival Cambodia. A report on the rice industry website oryza.com last month said that new European Commission data showed that between September 2014 and April this year, Burma's exports of milled and semi-milled rice to the European Union were about 45,240 tons. That figure is up from about 20,848 tons in the same period a year earlier. The site said that despite the growth, Burma's rice exports still make up just 22 percent of Europe's imports from least developed countries (LDCs) in Asia, which receive favorable import terms. Cambodia's exports to Europe, which diminished slightly in the September-April period, stand at 155,501 tons and make up some 76 percent of Europe's import from Asian LDCs, the report said. But the news has got some of Cambodia's rice producers concerned with the prospect of Burma returning to its pre-dictatorship role as the world's largest rice exporter. An official at the Cambodian Rice Federation told the Phnom Penh Post that the country should focus on its high-quality fragrant rice exports, with which Burma cannot yet compete on a large scale. In June 2013, the European Union announced that it would resume giving preferential trade terms to Burma after a 16 year hiatus as part of the West's sanctions against the military regime. Under a program known as Everything But Arms, all goods produced in Burma, expect for weaponry and ammunition, are given duty-free and quota-free access to the 28 European Union states. The trade preference scheme was applied retroactively on imports from Burma beginning on June 13, 2012, and Burma's export-oriented industries, including the garment sector, have begun to take advantage. According to European Commission data, only about 360 tons of rice—under the description "Semi-milled or wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed"—was imported from Burma to Europe in the whole of 2012. For the full year 2014, the figure was above 48,000 tons—worth more than $18 million. And judging by the figures cited by oryza.com, that growth is not abating. The UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says that Burma's total rice exports to all countries totaled about 700,000 tons of milled rice equivalent in 2014 following a "record-breaking crop." The FAO predicts that the total export figure will grow by some 15.2 percent this year, but the government has even higher expectations. After China lifted an official ban on rice imports from Burma, an official at the Myanmar Rice Federation said in April that exports, including broken rice, would total more than 2 million tons in the 2015-16 fiscal year, state media reported. Company Claims Plans for 20 Kilometers of Untouched Burmese Beaches A little-known investment firm has claimed it will develop tourism projects on some 20 kilometers of "pristine white sand beaches" on the coast of Burma's Irrawaddy Division. The claim is made on the website of H&Co Holdings. Ltd, which also uses the company name H&Co Real Estate Holdings. Ltd. The site gives few details about the company's background, but says it has a "track record of experience and success" in Burma and "was an early participant in the Myanmar property market and possesses excellent local execution capacity." The site lists three development projects in Irrawaddy Division that are currently in the works, including a mixed-use development including condominiums, serviced apartment, retail space and a hotel in the divisional capital of Pathein. The town is at present a sleepy economic backwater, but is on the main access road linking Rangoon to the beach resorts of Ngwe Saung and Chaung Tha. H&Co's website also says the company has also completed "preliminary Master Development Plan[s]" for two developments south of those beaches. "The company's Mya Bay project is under development on a site in the coastal Ayeyarwaddy Division, south of the village of Ngwe Saung," it says. "The Mya Bay site comprises approximately 1,265 acres, including approximately eight kilometers of uninterrupted, pristine white sand beach." Similarly, a project known as Karaweik Kove comprises 3,000 acres "including approximately 12 kilometers of uninterrupted, pristine white sand beach." It is unclear what approvals the project has received from the Burmese government. The Myanmar Times reported this week that the firm was a Hong Kong-Myanmar joint venture, citing information from MultiVerse Asia, a marketing agency that appears to have been recently formed in Burma and is promoting H&Co's projects. H&Co's website does not specify where the company is based, but the senior managers and founders listed on the site are all Westerners living in Asia. The CEO, Jeffry A. Blount—who did not respond to The Irrawaddy's request for comment—was previously a partner at a global law firm based in Hong Kong, the site says. According to a description of the company previously posted on the website of UK-based advisory firm C2 Asia—which has since been removed—H&Co started life in 2011 as "strategic investor and real estate developer operating in Myanmar." "H&Co, with its international team of world-class industry professionals and in-house project managers, currently has over USD $200 million worth of planned and in-construction developments underway," the description read. Ministry Mulling New Mobile Phone Spectrum Allocation Burma's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is working on plans to allow mobile phone companies to transmit signals on more frequencies, according to an industry report. "Myanmar is working on a new spectrum allocation policy that will enable it to make more sub-1 GHz frequencies available to mobile operators," London-based business-to-business news site Total Telecoms reported, citing an interview with Deputy Minister Thaung Tin. Governments around the world license different frequency bands to industries like mobile phone operators, as well as for the transmission of television signals and other transmission like Bluetooth. The deputy minister told Total Telecoms that a policy document is currently being drafted, and could soon allow phone companies to use the 700 megahertz, 850 MHz and 900 MHz bands. "We [Burma] are not using UHF [ultra high frequency] television, so [the] 700 MHz frequency is available at this moment in time," Thaung Tin was quoted saying. Private firms Ooredoo and Telenor joined state-run MPT as mobile phone service providers in Myanmar last year, and liberalization has sparked a boom in SIM card and handset sales. Tin Reserves in Wa Region Expected to See 'Depletion' A recent boom in exports of raw tin from Burma has shaken up the global supply of the commodity, but a major China tin company says that production may have peaked. In April, increased exports of unprocessed tin concentrates from Burma to China saw the price of the commodity drop dramatically, with Indonesia scaling back its tin production to try to stem the global supply. A report Wednesday on industry information outlet Shanghai Metals Market said that raw tin imports from Burma in 2014 had enabled China, where Burma-sourced tin concentrate is refined, to become a net exporter of tin for the first time in six years. However, the report said, China's largest tin producer and exporter Yunnan Tin Group Company (YTC) is predicting the boom to be over shortly, with imports from Burma to China already slowing in recent months. "According to YTC, Man Maw mining region in Wa County is likely to witness resource and grade depletion over the coming years," the report said, crediting the information to a visit by company delegates to the mining area, which is inside the autonomous "special region" controlled by the United Wa State Army. "The production by Myanmar may fail to touch the peak production recorded during last year. The mining region is expected to report declining production levels henceforth." Extension of Storied Rangoon Hotel to Open in 2016 The extension of the Sule Shangri-La hotel in downtown Rangoon is set for completion early next year, according to a statement. Realtor Colliers International announced this week that it would be responsible for leasing out office space in the new tower, which is being built adjacent to the existing hotel—formerly known as Traders Hotel—using a loan from the World Bank Group's International Finance Corporation (IFC). According to US Embassy cables released by WikiLeaks, the Traders Hotel was built in the 1990s by a partnership of blacklisted tycoon Steven Law (also known as Tun Myint Naing)—the head of the Asia World conglomerate and son of notorious Shan State drug kingpin Lo Hsing Han—and Malaysian billionaire Robert Kuok, who owns a stake in its current operator Shangri-La Asia Ltd. The extension, a high-rise commercial building in the heart of Rangoon's historic downtown district, received part of an $80 million loan from the IFC. In response to questions from campaigners over the necessity of a branch of the World Bank funding such a development, an IFC official argued that the project would address a shortage of space in the city and create jobs for local people. According to Colliers International, the extension, known as Sule Square, will include 15 floors of commercial space covering 2,000 square meters each. The company said that such "top-tier" office space was still in shortage in Rangoon, with only 38,000 square meters currently available—a figure that is set to rise to more than 60,000 square meters this year. The post The Irrawaddy Business Roundup (June 6, 2015) appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
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