Contacts: Alek Nomi, +66-87-302-7681 (Thailand); Ka Hsaw Wa, + 66 89-835-2006, +66-81-531-1256 (Thailand); Riptide Communications (U.S.) 212-260-5000

INCREASING CHINESE INVOLVEMENT IN BURMA (MYANMAR) HYDROPOWER, OIL AND NATURAL GAS, AND MINING SECTORS RAISES CONCERNS OVER POTENTIAL SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

Rights Group Releases Most Comprehensive Survey on Chinese Multinational Corporate Investment in Burma

September 29, 2008, Chiang Mai, Thailand and Washington, D.C. – A survey released today by EarthRights International (ERI) reveals an increase in the number of Chinese multinational corporations (MNCs) involved in hydropower, oil and natural gas, and mining projects in Burma (Myanmar). The report, China in Burma (Myanmar): The Increasing Involvement of Chinese Multinational Corporations in Burma’s Hydropower, Oil and Natural Gas, and Mining Sectors, is the most comprehensive survey on Chinese investment in Burma to date and identifies 69 Chinese MNC’S involved in 90 completed, current and planned projects in the hydropower and extractive sectors in Burma. Previous ERI research collected between May and August 2007 identified only 26 Chinese MNCs involved in 62 projects. This research, conducted over the last year, draws upon government statements, English and Chinese language news reports, and company press releases.

The report documents projects varying from small hydropower dams completed in the last two decades to planned dual oil and natural gas pipelines across Burma to southwestern China.

Ka Hsaw Wa, Executive Director of EarthRights International noted the importance of publishing the study, stating, “We’ve repeatedly seen foreign companies coming into Burma with disregard for local people and the environment. Given what we know about development projects in Burma and the current situation, we’re concerned about this marked increase in the number of these projects.”

“We’re concerned about the lack of information about these projects available in the public domain,” said ERI Researcher Alek Nomi, principal author of the research. “We hope this research shines a light on these sectors and provides a resource for communities, NGOs, journalists, policymakers, and governments.”

The survey is available at www.earthrights.org and will be available in Chinese and Burmese languages.

EarthRights International (ERI) combines the power of law and the power of people in defense of human rights and the environment.  We focus our work at the intersection of human rights and the environment, which we define as earth rights.  We specialize in fact-finding, legal actions against perpetrators of earth rights abuses, training for grassroots and community leaders and advocacy campaigns.  Through these strategies, ERI seeks to end earth rights abuses, provide real solutions for real people, and to promote and protect earth rights. For more information, please visit www.earthrights.org.