The Chairman of the Military Council , Senior General Ming Aung Hlaing’s recent three-day visit to Rakhine State starting from February 26th was claimed to be for Rakhine States’ Development, but U Phay Than, a veteran politician and former MP for Myebon township, criticized that the trip was actually meant to offer incentives to local businessmen to strengthen the Military Council's hold on power and to persuade Rakhine residents and businesspeople to withdraw support from the United League of Arakan/ Arakan Army (ULA/AA).

“The title given to his visit was Development of Rakhine State, but actually aimed at garnering support from the Rakhine people and businessmen for the Military to prolong its control on power and diminishing public backing for the AA. However, true development of Rakhine State can only be achieved by first resolving the political and military issues in the region and restoring the basic rights that the people of Rakhine have lost”, he pointed out.

U Phay Than also concluded that Min Aung Hlaing, like previous Juntas, is a man who talks big but does not work, so there can be no hope for the Rakhine people from his visit.

Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Sittwe on February 26th and the following morning he convened a meeting with local businessmen at U Ottama Hall in the city. On February 28th, he engaged in discussions with Rakhine businessmen regarding an economic zone, which is part of a Chinese project located in Kyaukphyu. On that day, he also visited the site where the special economic zone will be built in Kyaukphyu, U Ba Shin, a member of the advisory sub-committee of the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone Management Committee and a former MP told Narinjara.

“ The construction of the deep-sea port, which is the foremost component of the special economic zone, will be executed in line with the government’s commitments. Subsequently, in conjunction with the special economic zone, industrial zones will be established to generate promising employment prospects for the local populace”, he said.

The Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone’s deep-sea port initiative will span across Kyaukphyu, Ramree, and Munaung townships. Additionally, a 4289.32-acre tract of land has been designated for the development of upscale residential properties associated with the zone.

The Military Council head and local businessmen convened at the Rammawaddy Hall in Kyaukphyu and the chairman of the Special Economic Zone Management Committee, U Myint Thein, presented a comprehensive overview of the project to the Junta chief.

A group of companies led by State-owned China International Trust Investment Corporation (CITIC) won the tender in December 2015 for the right to Kyaukphyu deep-sea port and special economic zone projects.

The deep-sea port on Made Island will span across an area of 2500x600 meters, while the one on Ramree Island will cover 1500x600 meters.

The deep-sea ports are designed to accommodate large cargo ships, including mother vessels, carriers, and supertankers with a length exceeding 1000 feet. It will serve as a critical hub for exporting natural gas extracted from gas reserves in Kyaukphyu and oil from rigs located along the Rakhine coast, to Kunming, China.

On the other hand, there are also objections that the construction of the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone and deep-sea ports will have a negative impact on the ecosystems along the Thanzit River and the fishing areas of local fishermen, said U Tun Kyi, a member of the Rakhine Resources and Environmental Monitoring Group.

“ There are also concerns among local people about the potential loss of jobs and land confiscation as a result of the project. Some fishermen are worried that their fishing blocks may be affected or disappear entirely. Overall, it appears that the local community is not pleased with this project”, he said.

Following the ceasefire agreement between AA and the Military Council, Min Aung Hlaing has made his second visit to Rakhine State in just three months.

His first visit to Rakhine after ceasefire was attending the 8th High-Level Committee Meeting between the armed forces of Myanmar and Thailand, held in Ngapali from January 19th to 21st. where Min Aung Hlaing held discussions with General Chalermphon Srisawasdi, the commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army.

Given the present circumstances, Rakhine State stands out as a volatile region in which Myanmar’ s military and political struggles are particularly apparent. Paradoxically, it is also an area of significant interest for superpower countries like Russia, China, and India, who are making substantial investments there.