Translated Survey on Chinese Multinational Investment in Burma's

http://www.earthrights.org/content/view/624/114/

Extractive and Hydroelectric Industries Now Available

Chinese, Burmese and Spanish versions now available
February 24, 2009, Chiang Mai, Thailand – EarthRights International announces the release this month of the Chinese, Burmese, and Spanish language versions of the most comprehensive survey on Chinese multinational corporate investment in military-ruled Burma. Originally released in English in September 2008, the survey, titled China in Burma: The Increasing Involvement of Chinese Multinational Corporations in Burma’s Hydropower, Oil and Natural Gas, and Mining Sectors, is the most comprehensive survey on Chinese investment in Burma to date and identifies 69 Chinese MNCs involved in 90 completed, current, and planned projects in the hydropower and extractive sectors in Burma.

The release of this survey in Chinese, Burmese, and Spanish languages helps make information about China’s expanding search for energy available to people in Chinese, Burmese, and Spanish speaking communities around the world where Chinese MNCs are operating.

The survey documents projects varying from small hydropower dams completed in the last two decades to planned dual oil and natural gas pipelines across Burma to southwestern China. This research draws upon government statements, English and Chinese language news reports, and company press releases, and builds upon previous ERI research collected between May and August 2007 that identified only 26 Chinese MNCs involved in 62 projects in Burma.

Ka Hsaw Wa, Executive Director of EarthRights International noted the importance of publishing the survey in the Burmese language, stating, “We’ve repeatedly seen foreign companies coming into Burma with disregard for local people and the environment. Given what we know about development projects in Burma and the current situation, we’re concerned about this marked increase in the number of these projects. Now at least some local people can read about information that the companies and the military government are failing to provide.”

“We’re concerned about the lack of information available in the public domain about these projects and others like them,” said ERI Researcher Alek Nomi, principal author of the research. “We hope the release of this research in multiple languages spoken by communities affected by China’s global search for natural resources provides a resource for communities, NGOs, journalists, policymakers, and governments around the world.”

According to the junta’s own statistics, foreign investment in Burma nearly doubled in the first nine months of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007, with the mining sector accounting for almost 90 percent of the total foreign investment – investment from January to September 2008 increased to $974.9 million dollars from $502.5 million. China is leading foreign investment in Burma, accounting for $855 million of the $860.9 million invested in the mining sector alone.