(There is a need for diplomatic protest as marine resources could be harmed.)
Coastal News Agency
Manaung, September 7 2023
China has released debris from its spacecraft into the Rakhine Sea seven times over the past two years.
This action could harm marine resources, particularly fish, and should be protested from a diplomatic standpoint, according to locals and environmental activists in Rakhine.
China has been discarding unnecessary components from its spacecraft into the sea after their launches. According to the State Administrative Council, debris from the spacecraft also fell into the Rakhine Sea near the townships of Thandwe and Manaung early this morning on September 7.
“We weren’t aware of this incident. This should not happen. It will damage natural resources, and since there was no prior warning, fishermen could be affected,” said Kyaw Moe Naing, a local from Manaung. In previous incidents, locals also reported that there was no advance warning from relevant authorities about the spacecraft debris falling into the sea.
“Right now, due to the low-pressure area, fishermen aren’t going out to sea. They also didn’t notice the debris falling. In previous incidents, it was terrifying. There were loud noises and visible light streaks,” said a fisherman from Thandwe Township.
Environmental conservation activists are concerned that the debris falling into the sea may result in the death or harm of marine life, particularly fish, according to U Lwin Maung Maung Swe, the program director of the ALARM group (Advancing Life and Regenerating Motherland).
He also mentioned that the chemicals and gases in the debris could further damage the marine ecosystem.
Depending on the type of chemical gases involved, the level of harm could vary, said U Lwin Maung Maung Swe.
“This is falling within our country’s territory, and it could impact our country’s social, economic, and environmental matters. If anything is harmed, someone needs to be held accountable for it,” he added. However, it is also important to review what the national laws say on such matters. Internationally, there are laws, regulations, and guidelines set to address these kinds of incidents.
Local Rakhine fishermen and resource activists also protested against China’s release of unnecessary spacecraft debris into the sea.
“We are concerned about the extent of their debris. The lack of prior warnings could also endanger the lives of fishermen. Both the Chinese and Myanmar governments are fully responsible for this. The Myanmar government needs to clearly state its position on this, and the Chinese government must be held accountable,” said Myo Lwin, a natural resources activist from Rakhine.
He also called for effective investigations into how the debris is affecting marine life and food chains.
Debris from Chinese spacecraft has fallen into the Rakhine Sea seven times between December 2020 and September 2023.
This year, it happened once on August 21, 2023. There were two incidents in 2022, two in 2021, and one in 2020.
Additionally, in 2016, a large metallic object, believed to be debris from a spacecraft, fell into Hpakant Township in Kachin State.
By Aung Kaung Zaw
