In the misty hills 60 kilometers from Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw lies Min Pyin Village – a community where progress is literally stuck in the mud. Despite its proximity to urban centers, crumbling roads turn this stretch into an eight-hour trek during monsoon season, cutting off access to markets, healthcare, and education.
A new China-Myanmar collaboration aims to change that. After months of community consultations, teams identified road construction as the village's most urgent need. 'This isn't just about infrastructure – it's about connecting generations to opportunities,' says project lead Li Wei. The initiative forms part of regional poverty reduction efforts timed to the 10th anniversary of the Shared Future development framework.
Local farmer Khin Zaw explains: 'My mangoes rot before reaching buyers. With proper roads, my children could attend city schools.' Data shows 78% of Myanmar's rural communities face similar transportation challenges, costing an estimated $2.4 billion in lost economic potential annually.
The project's phased approach includes rainwater drainage systems and climate-resilient materials – critical as extreme weather intensifies. Young volunteers from Yangon tech startups are exploring mobile apps to monitor construction progress in real-time.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
