• Professor U Zaw Thura @ Kong Peng, Director, Institute of Myanmar Studies, Yunnan University, People’s Republic of China,
• Professor U Thant Zin Maung @ Zhu Xianghui, Dy Director,
• Professor Zhai Kun, Peking University, attending online,
• Professor Fan Hongwei, Shamon University, and Researchers of the Institute of Myanmar Studies, Yunnan University, PRC,
• His Excellency U Thant Kyaw, Chairman, and members of the Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies,
• Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am indeed very happy to be give this opportunity to deliver the Opening Remark at today’s Seminar on “China-Myanmar Cooperation on Promoting the Belt and Road Initiative and Community with a Shared Future”.

There are a lot of remarkable points on my past in having this opportunity. It is not just myself been a Union Minister of the Union Government Office. It is because of Literature that I take delight in from the very beginning and as a Political Researches. Especially, because of the united cooperation of holding this seminar between – the Institute of Myanmar Studies of Yunnan University of which I am the Scholars and Advisor and the Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies (2022-2026) that I have personally established and closely supervising now.

We came into contact with the Institute of Myanmar Studies of Yunnan University since 10 years
ago.

The closeness and goodwill is stable and keeps on flourishing between the two sides, no matters
the changes in era. And another thing that I take pride in, is to be an Advisor in the study group of scholors regarding the Yunnan Province’s Belt and Silk Road.

As a matter of fact, I have been involved in Myanmar- ISIS since its establishment way back in 1990s, and have been in touch always despite then changes in assignments and eras. Nowadays, I am taking the lead as a Patron of the Institute. That’s why, it is my pride and joy to be involved like in a reunion of relatives from both sides.

With regard to this seminar, I would like to make remarks on ‘2’ things – the Subject and Discussion.

Professor, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The First point is the Subject, to do with the Tittle – As for the source of history, the emergence of the Belt and Silk Road and the details of the current development, we need not being out again as many know about them.

What I would especially like to point out is that, the Belt and Silk Road Programme that started in 2013 is President Xi Jinping’s idea of – GDI Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, hance, encompassing the entire program of the world! That’s how I feel.

And this program is not just for China alone, but especially one of great significance for the development of about ‘150’ communities existing on the road together with the ‘6’ land routes, the maritime Silk Road, and the Latest Polas Roads, that are included in the Belt and Road Initiative.

To say so from the Strategic geopolitical point of views – “Zhong Guo” meaning in Chinese the Middle Kingdom of main China and situated right in the heart of the world, has been in constant contact with the entire Human Societies of – Europe, Asia, and Africa via Land and Sea routes since older days. This is to China’s advantage geographically at a time whom the major powers are showing thein might today. In my opinion, the modern Belt and Road Programme has come into existence based on this by improving the traditions.

Here, I’d like to take this opportunity to share my opinion regarding the building of Transport and Communication routes, which is the principle foundation for the Belt and Road project and the mutual contact, the foundation for success resulting from cooperation.

Whatever exists in our environment like: physical objective; human being; ideas; policies; and strategies (or) project all and everything are like the “Head and Tail” of a coin, that is having both good and evil together. Likewise, the Balt and Road project works on the some principles and we have no alternative but to accept it. It’s natural.

As such, those who benefit from this project will have on optimistic view but those who suffer will love a negative view.

So, we just have to assess the pros and cons by scrutinizing whether the majority of the locals are really benefitting and how much these socio-economic life have developed.

Professor, Ladies and Gentlemen,

In creating culture and development, unlike other creatures we human beings are now in a develop community, as a result able to “Build bridges” and line in “Communities” throughout history. A cultured, peaceful and sustainable human society come be attained, only when there is people – to – people, contact, mutual understanding and work for win-win situation.

These’s a Chinese proverb, correct me if wrong. “yao xiang fu xian xiu lu” meaning – “Build Roads if you want to rich” the proverb that will be true always.

Building infrastructure for Transport and Communication will be promoting the engagement or communication among people of various regions, regardless of the distance, development gap, religion and interpretations thereby, realizing developments together with cooperation.

Here, I’d like to share a little of my personal experience and knowledge. I’ve attended many of the Belt and Road Forums and Workshops, where I had the chance to meet and discuss openly with scholars of country partners. When asked about their personal feelings regarding the Balt and Road plan, they have this to say: – Scholar from Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and those from the mid-Asian countries said:- “They were all hard up before with zero output and was impossible to grow anything in their countries. But, because of the Belt and Road plan, there emerged Railroads and economic corridors, bringing in investments so much so that, their lives have been changed beyond all this expectation.

I’ve been to Loas too, which has now been transformed into a “Land – Linked Nation” from a “Land – Locked” one, having a high-speed railroad to China, all due to its involvement in the Indo-China Peninsular Economic corridor scheme of the Belt and Road Initiative. As a result, Loas’ Economy has improved remarkably. It is least that, over “1” million travelers from the Chinese side have entered via railroad in the front “4” months of 2023.

On the other hand, Thailand could also export its tropical commodities like – durians, jack fruits, mangoes, etc… via the railroads fetching in billions of dollars!
In fact, quite a number of numerous workers were also engaged in the construction. Hence, this plan has contributed towards job opportunities. Such as the benefits resulting from the infrastructure of the Belt and Road initiative.

There is no denying that, damage is also being done in building those infrastructure. If the benefits outweigh the damages then, there is no other way but to go ahead with the plan. As everyone knows, environment and the ecosystem are the very first to be affected when building the infrastructures. That’s why, it should be geared towards the green economy, a full responsible and an accountable one, without damaging, the environment and eco system. If it is based on the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Plan, it might be appreciated and accepted from all round involved in it.
Also, the plan should not damage but to prioritize for much more developments of the locals concerned, with regard to their socio-economy, culture, and environment. As such, EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) and SIA (Social Impact Assessment) have been carried out first and foremost.

There are examples that I’d like to especially praise and know like: The Belt and Road Initiative, the successful China National Petroleum Company – CNPC, praise to the Myanmar- China Economic Corridor and the S.E Asia Pipe Line project in which, Myanmar, India, and Korea involved.
Every now and again, I go to “Kyaukphyu” the region where the Pipe Line starts. What I saw for myself, is the good relationship between the company and the locals, resulting from the CNPC company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of setting up schools, clinics… etc for the villages.
Moreover, the complex, delicate, and over-sensitive internal situations that the developing countries especially are experiencing, should also be taken into consideration. So also, the strategic impact of the external major powers on earth, that are actively working from behind, should be studied and scrutinized too. So all, assessments: EIA, SIA, PIA Political Impact, and SIA – Strategic Impact Assessments should be all taken into consideration after which the most beneficial projects of minimum loss can be implemented like I’ve presented.

Regarding the Belt and Road initiative, MOU has been linked for the construction of – “China- Myanmar Economic Corridor, CMEC”. The CMEC’s joint committee has been formed already. It is mainly to first connect Yunnan Province of S.W. China with Mandalay, and thence to Yangon and Kyaukphyu in 2 routes.

Economically, this will become a strategic corridor, stretching out the Transport and Communication network to Asia, Africa, and Europe via land and sea routes. It will be geared towards Trade and Economic development between the ‘2’ countries, it is leant.

The biggest deep sea port in S.E. Asia will be included at the (SEZ) Special Economic Zone to be established in Kyaukphyu, together with one environmentally friendly Industrial Zone and a Residential Zone, ‘3’ divisions all together. The Kyaukphyu deep sea port will be constructed using the modern

technology, with a total investment up to about US $ ‘7’ billion. Loading and unloading of containers will be in millions annually at the port, and when it comes into real operation, containers all the way from Kunming China, will be easily transported to various of the world via Kyaukphyu port.
Because of this plan, other provinces like Chendu and Anhui connected to Yunnan, will all be able to trade with the rest of the world via Myanmar gate. Likewise, Myanmar hopes to trade with Yunnan province and beyond. Furthermore, as far as East Europe like the Russian free trading, especially via Railroad, under the other Belt and Road initiative.

Just as there is Kyaukphyu deep sea port in the Bay of Bengal, so also Yangon port is there in the Gulf of Mottama, through with Trade can flourish in S.E Asia, provided the Yangon – Mandalay road is upgraded together with the new Yangon City Project. In addition, there are also plans to establish a Border Economic Cooperation Zone for the development of trade between Myanmar and China.
Railroad have been and are being constructed on China side up to the Myanmar border at ‘Shwe Li’ are ‘Chin Shwe Haw’ from where finished products which is ½ of the raw materials, will be processed for export from Myanmar to various countries.

There are also plans to transport valued- added goods to China, after the packaging pf fish, meat, agro and massive products form Myanmar, is done at the border areas. China is the market leader in the world with on abundance of such goods being imported annually. Now, with the trade was coming up, we can take advantage of it. That is, if we can provide China with its much-needed Agro and massive products… etc in.

These are not just for the development of China – Myanmar’s economy. If only there is progress, Kyaukphyu deep sea port will also have direct access to the Land-locked Nations of S.E. Asia, after connecting with the Mekong development project. Likewise, as products from the far filling N.E. regions of India can also be transported depending on this project, it will also be facilitating the S. Asia regions.

Furthermore, it seems that southern countries of S.E. Asia like Indonesia, an Island nation, an archipelago, will be able to transport their goods easily to mainland China via the same route. My Indonesian friends used to say how very interested they were in this matter.
To recapitulate, I’d like to highlight that – the “China – Myanmar Economic Corridor” is no joke. If only it materializes, there can be a drastic change in own destiny, as well as for the socio-economic development of the entire S.E. Asia region.

Professor, Ladies, and Gentlemen

The relationship of our ‘2’ countries started thousands of years ago, the official diplomatic relations being over ‘70’ years. Built on mutual trust, respect, and support the ‘Paukphaw’ relation is being maintained mutually till date. The joint effort for the ‘5’ principles of peaceful co-existence that was started in the 1950s, is a remarkable one politically, among the cooperations between the ‘2’ countries. Based on these facts’ sustainable friendship and goodwill could be built, having regard for – continuous reciprocal equality, respect, and peace, despite the differences in power.
Regarding economic cooperation, there has been marked progress since the 1980s, when reforms started to take place in both countries. So now, what we are going to carry on BRI, is a powerful instrument that can enhance cooperation with added momentum. That’s what I believe.
Therefore, from this BRI cooperation, we are hoping to build a ‘Shared Future’, a much better one, working not just bilateral but multilaterally, to prosper in the same states.

Professor, Ladies, and Gentlemen

The 2nd part of the discussion has to do with the expected outcomes. The discussion we are having now is unlike other normal conferences (OR) seminars. To appear for discussions, we the scholars of both sides have to devote much of our time and resources to compiling beforehand. But, to be able to print and publish the papers put forward is very rase, apart from those of International Seminars. I’m so pleased that the papers from this discussion will be printed into a book.

Moreover, I’m indeed very happy to learn that, it will be published bilingually in Myanmar and Chinese, to penetrate the people from all walks of life of both countries. Actually. The credit goes to the Myanmar Affairs Department of Yunnan University for their relentless affords. A bilingual competition of papers has already been published in the past.

And, it is heartening to see in today’s seminar that, there are most papers with compiles from various departments and places taking past in the discussion. From China’s side for instance, there is the Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar -His Excellency Mr. Chan Hai putting at the paper. And also Professor Li, a former Chief of the Myanmar Affairs Department of Yunnan University, and currently a responsible official of the government of Yunnan Province, himself has written and sent his papers. Since the papers have been complied with collectively by scholars of Peking and Shaman Universities and others, we can see that various complies are involved.

From our Myanmar side, there are quite a number of various papers by – professors from prominent Universities of Ryomas and Researchers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, apart from the scholars of MISIS.

That’s why I would like to say that, it is not just a seminar between the Myanmar Affairs Department of Yunnan University and the Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies, but also an interactive event by distinguished scholars from Myanmar.

This is also a BRI programme, not the “Constructed Silk Road” but on “Intellectual Silk Road” , connecting the knowledge both side. There’s a Chinese saying – “Speaking to a Scholars for just a while is worth, more than studying for about ‘10’ years by yourself.”

In that case, just think of all the benefits if only this kind of “Intellectual Silk Road” could be constructed, involving scholars from both sides.
So, let me conclude by wishing for – outcomes full of essence subject-wise among scholars and enhancement of the building of – “The Intellectual Silk Road” from Now …………………

Thank you all……