Monday, January 20, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Suu Kyi Economic Adviser: National Interest Must Come First When Deciding Large Chinese Investments in Myanmar

Posted: 20 Jan 2020 07:09 AM PST

Unlike its predecessors, the NLD govt is ensuring deals with China benefit Myanmar, Sean Turnell, adviser to the State Counselor, tells The Irrawaddy in an interview.

Two Myanmar Constitution Amendment Bills Agreed by NLD, Ethnic Parties

Posted: 20 Jan 2020 06:29 AM PST

With their refusal to endorse the parliamentary charter change committee's bills, it remains to be seen how military MPs will respond when they are sent to Parliament.

Thousands of Myanmar Workers Demand Higher Minimum Wage

Posted: 20 Jan 2020 06:23 AM PST

Over 5,000 factory workers marched in protest near a Yangon industrial zone Sunday to demand higher wages as the government prepares to set the new minimum wage.

Myanmar’s National Dialogue Must Be for All NCA Signatories Ahead of Peace Summit, EAOs Say 

Posted: 20 Jan 2020 05:53 AM PST

Nationwide ceasefire signatories continue talks to include other groups in the peace process, especially ahead of the next 21st-Century Panglong summit.

No ‘Genocidal Intent’ in Security Operations in Rakhine State, Myanmar Commission Says

Posted: 20 Jan 2020 05:08 AM PST

The Independent Commission of Enquiry has declared that security operations in Rakhine in 2017 did not have 'genocidal intent', but admits that 'war crimes' took place.

Blaze Burns Mandalay Mall, Myanmar Police Sue Shop Owner

Posted: 20 Jan 2020 03:02 AM PST

Police are suing the owner of a shoe shop in a Mandalay mall for 'poor electrical safety' after a fire burned through the mall and caused over 1 billion kyats in damage.

Chinese President’s Claim That Beijing Not Arming EAOs Met With Skepticism in Myanmar

Posted: 20 Jan 2020 02:50 AM PST

Political observers in Myanmar doubt President Xi Jinping's claim that China is not arming ethnic armed organizations based near the northern border.

Britain’s Prince Harry Says ‘No Other Option’ But To Step Back

Posted: 19 Jan 2020 10:16 PM PST

Prince Harry says he had hoped to continue public service without funding, but now believes he and Meghan Markle have no option but to step back from official duties.

Rap and Rice Paddies: Thai Hip-Hop Creates Unlikely New Stars

Posted: 19 Jan 2020 10:10 PM PST

The rising popularity of hip-hop in Thailand has created stars that have drawn the attention of major music industry players.

World’s Richest 2,000 People Own More Than Poorest 4.6 Billion Combined: Oxfam

Posted: 19 Jan 2020 09:52 PM PST

Some 2,150 billionaires have more money than the world's poorest 4.6 billion people, while women work 12.5 billion hours a day unpaid, a new report from Oxfam says.
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Sunday, January 19, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

What Will Xi Jinping’s Visit Mean for Myanmar’s Future?

Posted: 18 Jan 2020 10:01 PM PST

The Irrawaddy talks with China analyst Ma Khin Khin Kyaw Kyee from ISP Myanmar and political analyst U Than Soe Naing about the impact of the Chinese president's visit.

Facebook Apologizes After Vulgar Translation of Chinese Leader’s Name

Posted: 18 Jan 2020 05:20 PM PST

Chinese leader Xi Jinping's name appeared as "Mr Shithole" in posts on the social media platform when translated into English from Myanmar.
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Saturday, January 18, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Myanmar, China Sign Dozens of Deals on BRI Projects, Cooperation During Xi’s Visit

Posted: 18 Jan 2020 02:40 AM PST

China and Myanmar capped President Xi Jinping's two-day visit by signing 33 agreements, including many to advance Beijing's BRI projects in the country.

What Will 2020 Mean for Myanmar’s Democracy?

Posted: 17 Jan 2020 07:30 PM PST

The Irrawaddy talks with writer U Kyaw Win and member of Parliament Ma Zin Mar Aung about the challenges facing Myanmar in 2020, from the Constitution to the election.

The Irrawaddy Business Roundup

Posted: 17 Jan 2020 05:30 PM PST

This week, Myanmar celebrated the opening of a Thai fish factory and border trade with Laos, while the World Bank is forecasting a growth boost.
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Friday, January 17, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Rebel Groups Told to Unite to Save Myanmar’s Peace Process

Posted: 17 Jan 2020 06:52 AM PST

Gen. Yawd Serk, the leader of an ethnic Shan armed group, urged his counterparts to compromise on demands to enable April's peace summit to take place. 

Beyond the Cliché of ‘Pauk-Phaw’, China and Myanmar Need Each Other

Posted: 17 Jan 2020 05:30 AM PST

The concept of 'pauk-phaw' fraternal relations between Myanmar and China is mere diplomatic jargon, but the two countries' mutual dependence is very real.

Singapore Festival 2020 is Back With a Palace Garden Party

Posted: 17 Jan 2020 04:50 AM PST

The celebration of Singapore in Myanmar is coming back to Yangon, featuring music, art and culinary collaborations at the Chin Tsong Palace on Feb. 1-2.

Popular Shan Party Warns Chinese Projects Without Local Consent Risk More Conflicts

Posted: 17 Jan 2020 04:35 AM PST

Shortly before Xi Jinping's arrival in Myanmar, the SNLD warns Myanmar and China that pushing development projects without public approval in Shan State would be harmful.

Myanmar Activists Refused Yangon Embassy Protest During Xi Visit

Posted: 17 Jan 2020 04:22 AM PST

Yangon police have told activists that any protest at the Chinese Embassy during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit would harm bilateral relations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping Arrives in Myanmar for Two-Day Visit

Posted: 17 Jan 2020 02:15 AM PST

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Naypyitaw on Friday for a two-day visit during which he will seek a commitment to China's BRI projects from Myanmar's leaders.

Myanmar Military Finds Large Cache of Weapons in Cave in Northern Shan State

Posted: 17 Jan 2020 01:03 AM PST

Myanmar military finds grenades, RPGs, explosives and other weaponry in a cave in northern Shan State; it says some of the material was likely manufactured by the KIA.

Civil Servants Refusing to Work in Chin State’s Paletwa Amid Fighting Between Military, AA

Posted: 16 Jan 2020 10:46 PM PST

Teachers and other civil servants are refusing assignments in Chin State's Paletwa Township due to security concerns; many have even quit rather than work in the area.

An Unstable, Weak Myanmar: China’s Strategic Goal?

Posted: 16 Jan 2020 09:11 PM PST

Myanmar's people welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping, but he has work to do if China truly wants to write a new chapter in the countries' bilateral relationship.

The Day When a US Medic was Jailed in Myanmar for Treason

Posted: 16 Jan 2020 09:10 PM PST

On this day in 1951, US medic Gordon Seagrave was jailed for treason because of his devotion to the health of Shan hill tribes.

China Announces 2nd Death From New Coronavirus

Posted: 16 Jan 2020 09:03 PM PST

The death toll from pneumonia caused by a new coronavirus strain in Wuhan, China has risen to two, according to medical authorities in the city.

Disease That Killed Millions of China’s Pigs Poses Global Threat

Posted: 16 Jan 2020 08:50 PM PST

Governments worldwide are scrambling to shore up their defenses against African swine fever as the disease spills over China's borders.

Brazil’s Tribes Stride Into Digital Age to Defend Their Culture, Forests

Posted: 16 Jan 2020 08:49 PM PST

Facing renewed threats to their land, cultures and livelihoods, Brazil's indigenous Amazon tribes are using social media, drones and other tech to get their message out.
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Thursday, January 16, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Ethnic Armed Groups Based on Myanmar’s Border With China Welcome Xi Jinping

Posted: 16 Jan 2020 07:21 AM PST

In a sign of their close relationship with Beijing, Myanmar ethnic armed groups based near the border with China made a special effort to welcome Xi Jinping.

Myanmar Court Set to Issue Warrant for US Man Who Failed to Attend Court in Cannabis Case

Posted: 16 Jan 2020 05:38 AM PST

A Mandalay court is preparing an arrest warrant and to take the bail money for a US man accused of running a cannabis plantation, although he allegedly had a permit.  

Myanmar Homeowners Arrested After Chinese Migrant Border Raid in Myawaddy

Posted: 16 Jan 2020 05:32 AM PST

Four Myawaddy homeowners face prosecution after a raid found they were sheltering Chinese citizens amid complaints of an influx of unruly migrants. 

Xi Jinping Calls for ‘Concrete Planning and Implementation’ of Chinese Projects Ahead of Myanmar Visit

Posted: 16 Jan 2020 05:24 AM PST

Chinese President Xi Jinping wrote in an op-ed in Myanmar's state-owned newspapers that it's time to move ahead on mutually beneficial development projects in Myanmar.

Myanmar CSOs Urge Xi Jinping to Terminate Myitsone Dam Project

Posted: 16 Jan 2020 02:45 AM PST

Civil society groups have called for transparency, impact assessments as Myitsone Dam, other Chinese projects in Kachin State are causing social, environmental problems.

Fresh, Affordable and Just a Little Spicy: Jana Mon Serves up Myanmar’s Mon Cuisine in Yangon

Posted: 16 Jan 2020 12:04 AM PST

Myanmar and foreign residents of Yangon are discovering the authentic flavors on offer at Jana Mon, an excellent Mon cuisine restaurant hidden away near Shwedagon Pagoda.

US, China Sign ‘Phase One’ Deal for Truce in Bruising Trade War

Posted: 15 Jan 2020 09:03 PM PST

Reaching a truce in their trade war, the US and China have signed a deal that will see a rollback of some US tariffs and require China to boost purchases of key products.

Ex-EU Diplomat Reportedly Accused of Spying for China as Police Conduct Raids in Germany, Brussels

Posted: 15 Jan 2020 08:48 PM PST

According to a German magazine, police have conducted raids across Germany and in Brussels as part of an investigation into alleged spying by China.
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Wednesday, January 15, 2020

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Reform of Myanmar Human Rights Commission Lacks Transparency, Critics Say

Posted: 15 Jan 2020 06:17 AM PST

Activists are voicing concerns about Myanmar's newly replaced human rights commission, saying the new members lack diversity and were selected without transparency.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Vows Probe Into Kayah Farmland Seizures by Myanmar Military

Posted: 15 Jan 2020 05:37 AM PST

During her visit to Kayah State, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi promised to look into military land grabs but ignored complaints about a statue of her father, Gen. Aung San.

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Myanmar Trip Aimed at Pushing Beijing’s ‘Two-Ocean’ Strategy

Posted: 15 Jan 2020 04:42 AM PST

During his upcoming visit to Myanmar, Chinese President Xi Jinping's top priority will be advancing Beijing's strategy to project its power into the Indian Ocean.

Myanmar Lawyers Seek Presidential Approval to Sue Police for Revealing Raped Toddler Identity

Posted: 15 Jan 2020 04:23 AM PST

The Independent Lawyers' Association of Myanmar has asked the President for permission to sue the police officers who identified the raped toddler known as 'Victoria'.

Myanmar Court Sentences Man to Death by Hanging for Love Triangle Murder

Posted: 15 Jan 2020 03:24 AM PST

After a three-year trial, a court in Ayeyarwady Region has found a local man guilty of murdering his girlfriend's ex-lover and burying the body on a farm in 2016.

Infographics: Chinese Leaders’ Visits to Myanmar Over 6 Decades

Posted: 15 Jan 2020 02:14 AM PST


The Irrawaddy presents an infographic examining high-level visits to Myanmar by Chinese leaders from 1954 to 2014, and their significance for bilateral relations.

Myanmar Invites Citizens Abroad to Participate in ‘Nation-Building’

Posted: 15 Jan 2020 01:49 AM PST

The Myanmar government has asked current and former citizens abroad to lend their expertise and participation to support peacebuilding and development of a federal Union.

Japan’s Defense Minister Urges China to Respect Int’l Norms

Posted: 14 Jan 2020 09:07 PM PST

Ahead of a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping next spring, Japanese Defense Minister Taro Kono has urged Beijing to adhere to international norms of maritime security.

China Denies Ever Manipulating Currency After US Lifts Designation

Posted: 14 Jan 2020 08:52 PM PST

A day after being removed from the US Treasury Department's currency manipulator list, China says it never engaged in the practice.

Cambodia to Open Treason Trial of Opposition Leader Kem Sokha

Posted: 14 Jan 2020 08:41 PM PST

Cambodian opposition party leader Kem Sokha is due to go on trial for treason today in a case slammed by rights groups as bogus.

ICJ to Rule on Emergency Measures in Myanmar Genocide Case on Jan. 23: Gambia

Posted: 14 Jan 2020 08:30 PM PST

The Gambian government has tweeted that the World Court will rule Jan. 23 on its request that emergency measures be taken against Myanmar in the Rohingya genocide case.
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