As China’s Xi Visits Burma, Ethnic Groups Rue ‘Disrespectful’ Dam Investment

People from Kachin state take part in a protest against the Irrawaddy Myitsone dam project in Waimaw, near the Myitkyina capital of Kachin state, on April 22, 2019. - The controversial dam, a $3.6 billion Beijing-backed project originally designed to supply most of its electricity to China, was halted by Burma in 2011 following protests over environmental and safety concerns. Zau Ring Hpra/AFP via Getty Images

MYITKYINA, Burma—The streets of Burma’s capital Naypyitaw were festooned with banners celebrating 70 years of Burma-China relations ahead of the arrival of Xi Jinping on Jan. 17 for his first visit to the Southeast Asian nation as China’s leader.

But for thousands of villagers living in northern Burma (also known as Myanmar) close to the Chinese border, there is another anniversary that nobody can celebrate. It is 10 years since they were kicked off their land for a $3.6 billion dam, an unfinished project backed by Beijing that dogs relations between the two neighbors.