Kachin and Shan states of Burma, with their proximity to China and abundant natural resources, are likely to become hotbeds for international rivalry in the region, according to a Thai academic.

Dulyaphak Preecharach of Thammsat University’s Southeast Asian Studies told the seminar on Asean Community 2015: Opportunities and Challenges, held in Chiangmai yesterday said his reasoning was based on hard facts:

• Precious stones like jade in Kachin and gold and uranium in Shan
• The Sino-Burmese oil-gas pipelines passing through northern Shan State near the Kachin border
• Ample hydropower in both states (“Laos, known as Asia’s battery, is running out of it soon, and they will be moving into Burma”)
• Power struggle in the region by several super and mini powers especially US, China, Japan and India

War meanwhile is taking place in the Kachin-Shan areas between the Burma Army and the Kachin-Shan resistance.

Speaking on the upcoming Asean Economic Community (AEC) in 2015, most speakers at the seminar expressed skepticism.

“Benedict Anderson once wrote a nation-state is an imagined community,” commented Dulyaphak. “Well, the AEC is another one. While efforts are being made on the one hand towards its realization, the tide of existing nationalism is running counter to it on the other hand.”

Some countries are still going through the process on nation-building. Others meanwhile are either fighting or on the verge of it because of disputed national boundaries. “We keep hearing people saying we are Shans, and we are Burmans but we are yet to hear anyone saying ‘we are Aseans’,” he quipped.

Somrit Luechai, well known academic, also from Thammasat, agreed. “To become One Identity and One Community, we still need to overcome 4 prejudices: (extreme) attachment, hatred, fear and ignorance,” he said. “Unless they are overcome, onlythe ‘One Vision’ can become a reality, but not the One Identity and One Community.”

One Vision, One Identity and One Community are the declared objectives of the Asean Community.

Opportunities discussed by the scholars include tourism, cheaper quality commodities and de-territorialization. They are however being offset by challenges like increased land grabs, loss of livelihoods, environmental deterioration, weakened family systems, increased racial conflicts, increased human trafficking and increased statelessness.

“The people who are most likely to be adversely affected must be consulted,” said Dr Chayan Vatanabhuti of Chiangmai University. “Education must also be in line with the changes.”