Amid intensifying attacks by the ethnic Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State’s Kyaukphyu, junta-appointed Rakhine State chief minister Htein Lin made an emergency visit to Chinese-backed projects in the town, junta media reported.

Among other projects, Htein Lin visited a US$ 180-million-gas-fired 135-MW power plant in the planned special economic zone, which was developed by a joint venture including Chinese state-owned firm PowerChina.

Fighting has been coming closer to Kyaukphyu, with clashes taking place as close as a military outpost 3 km away.