NAY PYI TAW April 9
Chairman of State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attends ceremony to open monument marking victory land at victorious point of Andaman Sea, Bay of Bengal in Cocokyun Township
Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, SAC Joint Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo and wife, members of the SAC and Union Ministers, attended a ceremony to open the monument marking the victory land at the victorious point of the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal in Cocokyun Township this morning.
First, the Senior General and wife and party arrived at the Cocokyun Township and were warmly greeted by Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein, Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Zaw Hein, officials, departmental staff and local residents and elders.
Then, the Senior General and wife presented foodstuffs for lunch for local residents to responsible officials at the terminal of the Cocokyun Airport.
Afterward, the Senior General and wife and party proceeded to the victorious point of the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal and were greeted by officers from the local naval base, students, marine youths and a wind and percussion band.
Then, a responsible official reported to the Senior General on the brief history of the monument marking the victory land at the meeting point of the two seas and the ceremony was formally opened by the chief minister of Yangon Region and the Commander-in-Chief (Navy).
Then, the Senior General formally opened the monument by pressing a button. Then, the Commander-in-Chief (Navy) presented gifts commemorating the opening ceremony to the Senior General.
Then, the Senior General and wife and party sprinkled scented water on the monument and posed for documentary photographs.
Coco Islands are located at the victorious point of the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal and made up of Mingalar Island, Slipper Island, Kyet Island, Jerry Island and Cocolay Island. It is situated 242 nautical miles away from Yangon and 125 nautical miles away from Haigyi Island. The monument was erected as the Senior General instructed officials to erect a monument at the victorious point on his trip to the township on 28 December, 2021. The Bay of Bengal is the northeastern waters of the Indian Ocean and is surrounded in the east by Myanmar, in the west and northwest by India, in the south by the Andaman Sea and Nicobar Islands. It is the largest bay in the world. The Andaman Sea is the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean and is surrounded in the east by Myanmar coastline along the gulf of Mottama, Thai coastline, the Malay Archipelago and in the west by Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is also connected with the Malacca Straits, an important international maritime trade route in the southern part of the Andaman Sea. The Parle Parle maritime route is located to the north of Coco Islands, the meeting point of the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, and Coco maritime route is located to the south of the islands. As about 8,000 vessels pass the straits every year, they play an important role not only in the international maritime trade but also in Myanmar maritime interests.
Then, the Senior General and wife and party inspected the construction of an earthen road linking Byaing Island Jerry Island and gave necessary instructions of reports of responsible officials.
Afterward, the Senior General and wife and party inspected the renovation of a former detention centre in Cocokyun in its original style.
Then, the Senior General and party enjoyed a documentary video clip featuring the seabed and marine organisms and natural scenes in the Myanmar sea presented by an official at the headquarters of the local naval base.
After the video and the presentation, the Senior General pointed out the need to take monitoring measures for conservation of underwater resources and said the revelation of the underwater resources and scenes can contribute to tourism. It is necessary for responsible officials to supervise offshore fishing to prevent illegal fishing by violating relevant laws and to curb activities to prevent the depletion of marine organisms. It is necessary to document rare marine animals in the waters of the country. In conclusion, the Senior General gave instructions on production of videos that feature underwater resources and marine animals in Myanmar waters to the public and to broadcast programs to raise public awareness about prevention of depletion of water resources and marine animals.
