Trying to decipher Myanmar

摘要

sir - Banyan mentioned that a hydroelectric dam project in Myanmar being built by China had been cancelled, and that this "suggested a regime anxious to move away from a dependence on its northern neighbour" (October 15th). Actually, Thein Sein, Myan-mar's president, merely suspended the project for the remaining time he has in office. Moreover, the Kachin Development Networking Group, a local environmental organisation, has reported that despite the announcement of the dam's suspension, workers and machinery remain at the project site, and that survey work and construction of a supply road have continued. It is more probable that the regime's announcement may have been a calculated move to appease growing public opposition to the dam rather than a real move away from dependence on China.