The reasons for moving the capital of Myanmar

Phoenix TV News on November 8 Hong Kong Ming Pao reported that the Myanmar military junta announced on Monday that it has begun moving many government departments from Yangon to the mountainous areas in central Myanmar as the new administrative capital. The new capital is secluded in the mountains and jungles far from the coast. Analysts say the move by Myanmar's military junta is to prevent U.S. attacks and consolidate the military junta's power.

The new administrative capital is located in the center of Pyinmana

The new administrative capital is located in "Pyinmana" (Pyinmana), 400 kilometers north of Yangon. A mountain trading town between the cities of Mandalay. Without warning, the military government suddenly ordered multiple departments to relocate within one day on Sunday. General Kyaw Shan, the Minister of Information, only confirmed to the outside world on Monday that the capital had been moved. He said: "Since independence, Yangon has always been the seat of government, and successive governments have chosen Yangon as the capital. But because the situation has changed now, Myanmar strives to develop into a modern country, and it has become necessary to build a centrally located capital. The authorities Binama was chosen because it is centrally located and can quickly reach all parts of the country." He added that there was a need to build a "command and control center" in a "strategic location."

On Sunday ***, nine departments were ordered to take the lead in relocating, reportedly including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Telecommunications, and the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Development.

The construction of the new capital was classified as "top secret." Government sources said that the new government building complex is located in a valley, covering an area of ??about 10 square kilometers, surrounded by mountains and dense forests, and 30 kilometers from the nearest town. According to the blueprint, when completed, it will include the prime minister's official residence, the parliament building, an airport, a hospital, a medium-sized hydroelectric power station, a golf course, a hotel, and 40 buildings that can accommodate 500 bureaucrats each for use by various departments. There is also a military building housing the military headquarters and bunker.

Analysts pointed out that the Myanmar military government began to conceive of moving the capital three years ago. The Myanmar military government has always been worried about being attacked by the United States. After September 11, the United States sent troops to Afghanistan and Iraq, further deepening the Myanmar military government's worries. The current capital, Yangon, is close to the Bay of Bengal. In comparison, Pyinmana, which is far away from the coast, is much safer strategically.

It will help the military government consolidate its power.

Another Yangon analyst said that moving the capital is actually part of the military government's overall "political reform" plan. The military junta that has ruled Myanmar since 1962 has said in recent months that it is promoting a "road map to democracy", but outsiders have long questioned its unwillingness to decentralize power. The military government is currently holding talks to discuss a new constitution, but analysts point out that even if a democratically elected government emerges after the birth of the new constitution, the military government may not be willing to hand over power, and the location of the new administrative capital can better ensure that it can hold on to power.

Pyinmana is located in the center of Myanmar. The relocation of the military government agencies here also brings the generals of the various armies closer to their troops deployed in Shan State, Chin State, Karen State and other places. Others believe that during the colonial era Burmese kings often listened to the advice of sorcerers and built new palaces, and the military government may simply be repeating this practice. The British Broadcasting Corporation pointed out that regardless of the motives of the military government, the relocation has sent a strong message-the military government will more centralize its power and consolidate the control of the regime.

The relationship between Myanmar and China has always been very close in history. China’s influence on Myanmar has continued unabated in modern times. No matter what government, it must consider maintaining good relations with China, a powerful neighbor. At present, among the four special zones on the China-Myanmar border, the influence of the Myanmar government is far less than that of China.

Do you still remember last year when China required the closure of casinos outside the border areas? The casinos in the Myanmar Special Administrative Region were closed after consultation with the relevant departments of China's Yunnan Province. The reason is very simple. Their water, electricity, gas, communication facilities, etc. are all from China. I saw the telecommunications advertisement over there saying "Domestic long distance XX yuan", don't do it. I thought it was Myanmar, but it meant China. The business hall of "China Mobile" is standing on the street over there.

The superficial reason for the United States’ dissatisfaction with the Myanmar military government is that Myanmar has failed to combat drug production, and a large amount of heroin has entered the U.S. market through various channels. In fact, the deeper meaning is because of the good relationship between the Myanmar government and China. It can be said that Myanmar is a special partner of China in Southeast Asia, and military cooperation is also relatively close. It is said that it can threaten the Strait of Malacca if necessary. The Americans attach great importance to this strait and have always promoted it as one of the several throats that must be controlled in the event of war.

Since 2001, the United States has continuously exerted pressure on the Myanmar government over drug and human rights issues. The situation was so tense that it was ready to take action. Finally, the Chinese government made a move that stopped the U.S. military machine from functioning. Now everyone knows that the Chinese government replaced the border armed police with regular troops. The United States may be worried that in the chaotic situation after taking action, the Chinese army will directly enter Myanmar, which will make it easier to control the situation in Myanmar.

If there is a direct military confrontation, the Myanmar government is definitely not an opponent of the United States. The cost of establishing a good relationship with the United States is too high. It may become an Asian version of "Panama". In contrast, a policy that leans toward China is more beneficial. For the sake of safety, it is not difficult to understand that the capital was secretly moved to the mainland.