Myanmar's people are increasingly hostile to Chinese "railroading" over the country's environment and small local industries, with fishermen being banned from a stretch of water because of its proximity to the entry point for one of China's major One Belt, One Road pipelines. But villagers in Kyauk Pyu say they fear the project would not contribute to the development of the area because the operating companies employ mostly Chinese workers. Research has revealed that Chinese contracts and land acquisition in Myanmar have begun before completion of studies on the impact on local people and the environment, which legal experts said may breach development laws. The government is also considering whether it should allow foreign companies to bid for infrastructure projects or build roads without environmental assessments.
Myanmar's people are increasingly hostile to Chinese "railroading" over the country's environment and small local industries, with fishermen being banned from a stretch of water because of its proximity to the entry point for one of China's major One Belt, One Road pipelines. Research has revealed that Chinese contracts and land acquisition in Myanmar have begun before completion of studies on the impact on local people and the environment, which legal experts said may breach development laws. The government is also considering whether it should allow foreign companies to bid for infrastructure projects or build roads without environmental assessments.