"A Myanmar Church official has expressed anxiety over the restarting of the China-backed Myitsone dam project on the Irrawaddy River in the conflict-torn northern state of Kachin. The concerns grew with the historic state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Myanmar, January 17-18. This is Xi's first visit to China’s southern neighbour and the first visit of any Chinese president in 19 years. Bishop Raymond Sumlut Gam of Banmaw in Kachin State has expressed concerns over the revival of the controversial Myitsone mega-dam project with this visit. “The Church’s stance is on the dam’s impact on both the environment and on the people,” Bishop Gam told UCA News. He said Myanmar and China leaders might talk about restarting the project, suspended in 2017. However, China may not further push for the project’s revival as it is likely to face strong opposition from the people, affecting other development projects. “We are awaiting the answers on the fate of Myitsone with bated breath,” he said. More than 40 Kachin organizations have called on Xi to permanently cancel the Myitsone Dam project..."