Myanmar’s opposition National Unity Government (NUG) has vowed to block attempts by the military junta to restart the long-suspended Myitsone Dam, warning that the project sacrifices the country’s “lifeblood” to China.

Speaking on 6 January, NUG spokesperson U Nay Phone Latt condemned the move as a desperate bid by the generals to secure Beijing’s backing. He stressed that any international agreements signed by the junta are legally void, adding that investors would bear full responsibility for financial losses.

The Myitsone Dam, located in Kachin State, has long been controversial. Environmental experts say blocking the natural flow of silt would degrade soil across the Ayeyarwady Region and allow seawater intrusion to devastate the Delta’s agriculture. The NUG also highlighted seismic risks, noting the dam’s proximity to the Sagaing Fault, where a structural failure could submerge major cities within minutes.

“The power-seizing military junta has no legal authority to sell state-owned resources or enter into international agreements,” U Nay Phone Latt said, pledging to work with ethnic revolutionary allies to keep the Ayeyarwady River free-flowing.

The junta, meanwhile, has issued a sweeping directive threatening prosecution of anyone opposing “state-authorised” projects. Analysts say the measure is widely seen as a shield for Chinese investments, ensuring Beijing’s continued diplomatic and military support despite Myanmar’s ongoing conflict.

The Myitsone Dam was first suspended in 2011 after mass protests and public opposition, with critics warning of environmental destruction, community displacement and excessive Chinese influence. Its revival under the junta has reignited fears that Myanmar’s fragile ecosystems and sovereignty are being traded away for short-term survival.

For the NUG, the message is clear: the dam will be resisted on legal, environmental and political grounds. The battle over Myitsone has become more than an energy project—it is now a symbol of Myanmar’s struggle to protect its resources and independence in the face of Chinese-backed military rule.

-2026-01-11

Keep resisting and boycott all efforts done to realize this project in a non violent way.