Myanmar Junta Pushes Chinese BRI projects in Rakhine Amid Fierce Fighting, March 13, 2025

Despite ongoing battles with the ethnic Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State’s Kyaukphyu, the regime remains committed to developing China-backed projects in the area.

At Tuesday’s meeting of the Central Committee on Myanmar Special Economic Zones, deputy junta chief Soe Win stressed the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is crucial to Myanmar’s geopolitical and economic interests, junta media reported.

“This project must succeed,” he told the meeting.

He emphasized that implementation of the Kyaukphyu deep-sea port would also boost cooperation with China, forming a vital link in the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

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However, fighting has been raging in Kyaukphyu Township for weeks, with the AA attacking the regime’s Danyawaddy naval base and the regime responding with airstrikes, according to residents.

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In December 2023, the regime and CITIC signed an addendum extending the port’s completion date by 18 months to June 26 this year. No construction progress has been seen on the ground, however.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Soe Win called for progress on the port before the June deadline.

Regime boss Min Aung Hlaing launched the renewed Belt and Road push during Chinese New Year celebrations in late January, emphasizing the BRI’s importance for regional and global economic growth.

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Last month, the regime passed the Private Security Services Law, opening the door for Chinese security troops to deploy in Myanmar to protect Chinese investments. Residents report that Chinese security personnel have already arrived in Kyaukphyu.