Aung San Suu Kyi's first China visit dominated by controversial dam project

Aung San Suu Kyi's first China visit dominated by controversial dam project

Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi (L) and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang

By China correspondent Bill Birtles, wires

Myanmar's de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has made her first visit to China, where the issue of a stalled Chinese hydro-dam project in Myanmar's north featured in discussions.

Former Myanmar president Thein Sein suspended the $3.6 billion Myitsone dam project in 2011, after the plan drew widespread protests over its environmental impacts.

The move angered China, which would have received around 90 per cent of the dam's power.

Ms Suu Kyi was held under house arrest for 24 years by a military junta backed diplomatically by Beijing, and while she supported suspending the dam at the time, she is now facing pressure to resume the project.

"Aung San Suu Kyi said that the Myanmar Government has already set up an investigation committee to look for an appropriate resolution to the Myitsone dam issue," Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters after a meeting between Ms Suu Kyi and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

"She also said that she is willing to look for a resolution that suits both sides' interests via both sides' energy administrations' cooperation."

Ms Suu Kyi did not mention the dam in remarks to Mr Li made in front of journalists, but said she hoped her visit would "further consolidate and develop" relations.

Myanmar has long been hugely reliant on Chinese economic support, which has been seen again through Beijing vowing to build two new hospitals and a strategic bridge.

The bridge will be built in Kunlong, 32 kilometres from the border in north-eastern Myanmar, and near the Kokang region where an ethnic Chinese rebel group fought Myanmar's military last year.

Ms Suu Kyi also needs China's cooperation in talks with Myanmar's ethnic minority armed groups operating along their shared borders.

Mr Liu said Premier Li reaffirmed China's support for efforts to bring peace to northern Myanmar.

The visit is Ms Suu Kyi's first major diplomatic foray as de-facto leader after her National League for Democracy's sweeping election victory in November, and although barred from the presidency by a junta-drafted constitution, she holds several government posts including that of foreign minister.

Ms Suu Kyi will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-18/myanmars-suu-kyi-assures-china-of-solution-to-stalled-dam/7764740

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