Evaluation of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) of Chinese EIA in Myanmar: Myitsone Dam, the Lappadaung Copper Mine and the Sino-Myanmar oil and gas pipelines
by Thiri Shwesin Aung , Luan Shengji & Sharon Condon
ARTICLE | Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal | No. 1, Vol.37, 2019
Abstract
The economic relationship between China and Myanmar is regarded as a win–win cooperation. However, Chinese investments, especially in extractive and natural resource sectors, are associated with a number of unwanted environmental consequences. Moreover, the environmental impact assessment (EIA) quality of Chinese enterprises has often been criticized. EIA identifies adverse impacts to the environment through evidence-based decision making. On this basis, this paper provides an evaluation of Chinese EIA performance within the natural resources sector through a structured review of 15 environmental impact statements (EISs). This research also evaluates the EISs of the three largest and most controversial projects, the Myitsone Hydropower Dam, Lappadaung Copper Mine and Sino-Myanmar oil and gas pipelines. The findings reveal several omissions, inadequacies and deficiencies in all the projects with a significant number of EISs falling short of satisfactory quality. Through the analysis, the paper summarizes the factors affecting the EIA performance and proposes feasible recommendations to improve EIA practices in Chinese development projects in Myanmar.
Popular Articles
-
International Student Profile: Kevin Kurnia
Oct 12 2017
-
Start your application to join PHBS!
Sep 18 2018
-
PHBS Opening a Campus in UK: Se...
Feb 22 2017
Latest News
-
Peking University HSBC Business S...
Time:Dec 20 2019
-
Studious and Aspiring | Dean Hai...
Time:Dec 20 2019
-
PHBS Holds the Second PHBS Works...
Time:Dec 19 2019
Campus Events