Dr Aye Maung, president of RNDP and U Zaw Aye Maung, minister of Arakanese Affair Ministry in Yangon division left Yangon International airport for China along with other ethnic leaders at 2 PM on the day.

U Hla Saw, general Secretary of RNDP says it is an excursion tour to China but they are likely to discuss with Chinese leaders the Shwe Gas Project which is being implemented by the Chinese government in Arakan state.

“There is a big oil and gas project of China in Arakan state. Our people have suffered from the project because they lost livelihoods like fishing and farming for the project. Within the time, the Chinese and Burmese Governments get a lot of benefits and revenues from the project. Our delegates will present the issues to Chinese leaders during the tour,” U Hla Soe said.

Moreover,  RNDP delegates have planned to request Chinese government  help with  Arakan state development in several sectors  like health, education, transportation and electricity.

The tour has come out after the invitation of the External Communication Department of the Chinese Communist Party of the People’s Republic of China to five political parties in Burma.

The  visiting other parties delegates along with RNDP are Naing Khin Maung Hsint and Min Chan Non from All Mon Regions Democracy Party and U Saw Than Myint and U Tin Hsan from Shan Nationalities Democratic Party. U Khin Maung Swe and U Sein Hla Oo from National Democratic Force and U Han Shwe, U Thein Tun and U Pe Lein Maung from the National Unity Party,

They will visit Beijing, Kunming and other towns in China till 29 April.