Myanmar Regime Ramps Up Myitsone Push as China Pours On Support

Myanmar’s regime has intensified efforts to revive the long‑suspended Myitsone Dam, staging its latest public meeting on the China‑backed project in Kachin State on Saturday. The push coincided with a high-profile visit to Naypyitaw by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who pledged support and deeper investment ties for the country’s new military-dominated administration.

The meeting in Kachin State’s capital Myitkyina was the 14th of its kind since December, when former junta No. 2 Soe Win announced the project’s restart. According to regime media, more than 760 people joined Saturday’s event, including junta‑appointed Kachin State Chief Minister Khet Htein Nam, departmental staff, faith leaders, and students from local colleges.

Khet Htein Nam told the gathering the dam was vital for local electricity needs and regional development. He spoke as Myitkyina and Waingmaw residents entered their second week of blackouts after the shutdown of the Chipwe Nge hydropower plant for maintenance on April 18. He urged cooperation with the restart plan, saying it would bring “better opportunities for future generations.”