03/06/2019 Myanmar (International Christian Concern) – Chinese authorities in Yunnan province, which borders Myanmar’s northern Kachin state, pressured the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) to support the construction of Myitsone Dam during a meeting in Ruili last week.

In addition, KBC was also asked by Chinese officials not to oppose signing of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) between different armed ethnic groups and the Burmese Army (Tatmadaw).

KBC General Secretary Rev. Hkalam Samson told Kachin News Group that the Chinese delegation put pressure on the organization not to challenge these initiatives, which could affect tens of thousands of predominantly Christian Kachin people.

“Regarding the Myitsone dam project, the Chinese authorities said that the central Beijing government gave orders to the government of Yunnan province to build the Myitsone dam. Therefore, the Kachin people must not oppose it,” Dr. Samson said.

The controversial China-backed Myitsone hydropower dam project in Kachin state would be the first to block the Irrawaddy River, flooding an area roughly the size of Houston and displacing thousands of people. Kachin people have held several protests over this project in the past years.

Another point of contention was the NCA – now that the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) has opted not to sign the controversial accord with the Burmese government and military, it has the Chinese concerned.

“Chinese authorities said that the KIO needs to sign on to the NCA as soon as possible,” the KBC chair said. “If they don’t, China will block all border roads,” as well as recall all assistance, he explained, making the lives of Kachin people difficult.

In response, KBC reportedly told the Chinese authorities that they are a religious group, not a political entity.

For interviews with Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected]