Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation visits PRC

A delegation led by Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation U Ohn Win left Yangon International Airport on 13 April for the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The delegation led by the Union Minister was on a friendly visit to PRC to cooperate in forest and environmental conservation sectors.

Union Minister and party first visited the Qiandao Aquarium also known as Qiandao Underwater World. The aquarium displays over 140 fish species of Qiandao Lake and also exhibits history of fish breeding, culture, economics of fish breeding and research works. Next the Union Minister and party toured the Qiandao Lake on a vessel where officials explained about environmental protection works, nature based tourism works and fish breeding works while the Union Minister raised questions on matters of interest. Afterwards they visited Xin’an hydroelectric plant where officials explained about stages of producing hydroelectricity.

Later in the evening the Union Minister and party left Qiandao by high-speed rail and reached Beijing near midnight.

On the morning of 15 April the Union Minister and party arrived at State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) head office and met with officials led by SPIC President Mr. Jiang Yi, who explained about Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of hydroelectric projects implemented in Myanmar, Ayeyawady River basin research, China’s environmental protection policy, laws and procedures, implementation of hydroelectric projects in China, hydro, solar and wind energy production with modern technologies, evaluation of impact on environment and socio-economy and clean energy development matters. Union Minister in return explained about Myanmar’s environmental protection policy, laws and procedures, natural resources management system, projects on maintaining eco-system in rivers and creeks and international cooperation.

Later in the afternoon the Union Minister and party arrived at Norinco Company, Beijing where company officials explained about the exhibits in the exhibition while Union Minister raised questions on matters of interest. Afterwards the company chairman and officials explained about environmental protection and socio-economic development works related to copper projects implemented in Myanmar and job opportunities for locals.

The Union Minister and party then went on to China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) head office in Beijing in the evening where company officials explained about implementation of Tagaungtaung Nickel project and future work programs while Union Minister raised questions.

On the morning of 16 April the Union Minister and party went to State Forestry and Grass-land Administration of China head office and discussed MoU signed between Myanmar and China on cooperation in forestry sector development, prevention of illegal timber trade, protection of forests and prevention of forest fire along the border of the two countries, possibility of cooperation in maintaining biodiversity, legal timber trade and investment opportunities in developing wood-based industry, technical cooperation programs, development of bamboo and rattan research cooperation, work processes of Asia Pacific Region forest network, maintaining of biodiversity, forests and wildlife and establishing national parks along China-Myanmar economic corridor program and establishment of wood-based industrial zones. In the afternoon they met with China Forestry Group Corporation general manager and discussed establishment of forest plantations, development of nature based travel business, value adding wood and wood products and establishing wood-based industrial zones. The Union Minister and party left Beijing International Airport on the afternoon of 17 April and arrived in Yangon International Airport by evening.

MNA
Translated by Zaw Min

Photo: MNA

Ref: The Global New Light of Myanmar