Secretly Meeting The Military Regime, China Asked Its Oil And Gas Pipeline Network In Myanmar To Be Protected

JAKARTA - A document containing information on a secret meeting between the Chinese delegation and the Myanmar military regime was leaked and circulated since last weekend.

The document has the potential to raise anti-Chinese sentiment after previously anti-military coup protesters were disappointed by China's veto at the UN Security Council Session and issues surrounding China's assistance to the Myanmar military regime.

In the document circulating, the Director General of the Department of External Security Affairs under the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bai Tian, asked the military regime to ensure the safety of China's oil and natural gas (Migas) pipeline in Myanmar, following the emergence of anti-Chinese sentiment, such as launching The Irrawaddy.

The project covers nearly 800 kilometers, consisting of a twin pipeline network running parallel from the port of Kyaukphyu in Rakhine State on the Bay of Bengal, through the Magwe and Mandalay regions and northern Shan State before entering China.

Beijing expects Myanmar to put in place better security measures for the pipeline project, as it is an important part of China's economic campaign, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Myanmar, according to leaked documents.

Any damage to the oil and gas pipelines would cost both countries huge losses, as well as undermine confidence in foreign investment, Bai warned.

Developed by the state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), a major shareholder, the project has been in debate since 2013, provoking opposition among the public and environmental organizations.

The agreement for the project was signed under the military regime in 2008. The company says the crude oil pipeline is designed to transport 22 million tonnes per year, while the natural gas pipeline is designed to transport 12 billion cubic meters of gas.

The document revealed that the permanent secretary of Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs was unable to attend the meeting, having received notification only four hours in advance.

The document also reveals that China hopes the military regime will put pressure on the Myanmar media, to reduce its doubts about China. Bai said the regime should curb the media from only writing about China in a positive way.

In addition, the director general said, 'Criticism about the gas pipeline should not be tolerated, as it is important for Myanmar's socio-economic development. The relevant organization should control the projects' fake news.

As a result of the leak and circulation of this document, the Myanmar military regime arrested two Foreign Ministry officials, on Tuesday, March 9. An eye witness said the minister's assistant director, U Chan Aye, was taken from the building by six plainclothes officers on Tuesday morning.

"When he got into the car, they put a hood on his head," said an eye witness, reported The Irrawaddy.

"Another assistant director, U Soe Thu Ra, was also reportedly detained that evening. He is suspected of recording the minutes during a meeting with Chinese representatives," continued the source.

The two men's families say they are being treated well and are still being questioned.

Last month, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai said the current situation in Myanmar was not at all what China had hoped for. This he said, amid rising anti-Chinese sentiment followed by a demonstration in front of the Chinese Embassy in Yangon, Myanmar.

In addition, the Chinese ambassador said Beijing was not informed of the planned military coup of Myanmar. It is known that the Myanmar Military Leader and military coup leader General Min Aung Hlaing met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, just 20 days before launching the coup and detaining Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint.

"China hopes that all parties in Myanmar can handle the current problem through dialogue and consultation properly, bringing back the track as soon as possible," said Ambassador Chen, reported The Irrawaddy.

He further said that Beijing wants things to work out well for Myanmar, which is China's southern neighbor, rather than seeing it become unstable or even fall into chaos.

"The National League for Democracy (LDP - led by Aung San Suu Kyi in the Myanmar military coup) and the Tatmadaw (Myanmar military) maintain friendly relations with China," the ambassador continued.

Myanmar Coup. The VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Casualties from civilians continue to fall. Readers can follow the news surrounding the Myanmar military coup by tapping on this link.

We will not guaranteed the security of China Myanmar Gas Pipe Line and will boycott all Chinese Projects in Myanmar if China use veto power to protect Myanmar Military Junta at United Nations Security Council. # BoycottChineseProjects # RejectMilitaryCoup # WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/LQwjhhEjvN

- Maung Yay Chan (@ MaungYayChan1) March 5, 2021