63: Chapter 63: On Television! A Declaration from Northern New Myanmar

The interview team from Dragon Country's CCTV arrived quickly and with high efficiency. Leading the team was Su Qing, a well-known host from CCTV's international channel.

In her thirties, with a capable short haircut, an elegant and intellectual temperament, and a smile that was both friendly and maintained the professional distance of a media person, she was clearly someone who had seen great things.

For this exclusive interview, Zhang Cheng had specifically ordered the small auditorium of the autonomous region government to be rearranged.

The background was no longer those garish decorations, but had been replaced with a brand-new flag of the Kokang Autonomous Region and a huge map of Northern Myanmar that clearly marked the boundaries of the autonomous region and its development plan for the next five years.

The lighting was soft and bright, several high-definition cameras were aimed at the interview area from different angles, and even the carpet had been replaced with a steady deep blue.

Zhang Cheng was not wearing a military uniform today, nor was he wearing that majestic uniform.

He chose a well-tailored dark gray Zhongshan suit, buttoned up tightly, without any medals or conspicuous accessories, with only an ordinary fountain pen clipped to his left breast pocket.

He sat on the beige sofa opposite Su Qing, his posture upright but not stiff, his hands resting naturally on his knees.

His face was calm, his eyes were clear, and his whole being exuded a unique temperament somewhere between youthful sharpness and mature stability, neither appearing aggressive nor allowing others to look down on him.

“Chairman Zhang, hello, thank you for accepting our exclusive interview with CCTV's international channel.” Su Qing's opening was gentle and professional, her voice pleasant.

“Hello, host, and hello to the audience. Thank you, CCTV, for giving me this opportunity to let everyone understand a real and changing Kokang.” Zhang Cheng responded with a smile, his tone composed, and his standard Mandarin made people feel a sense of closeness.

The interview quickly got to the point. Su Qing's questions did not become soft just because they were 'allies'; instead, they were direct and sharp: “Chairman Zhang, we know that you and the Kokang National Army you lead have, in the past period of time, changed the landscape of Northern Myanmar, especially Kokang and the former North Wa region, in a very rapid and even astonishing manner. The outside world has many different labels for you, such as 'strong local leader,' 'military strongman,' and some even call you a 'new warlord.' How do you view these evaluations? What are the future goals for you and the Kokang National Army?”

The question was sharp and hit the core. If it were an ordinary warlord, they might have started speaking in official jargon or become angry by now.

But the smile on Zhang Cheng's face remained unchanged, and he leaned forward slightly, appearing focused and sincere: “First of all, I want to thank the host for the question, and also thank the outside world for their attention to our region. Regarding these labels, I want to say that labels are often one-sided, applied by outsiders based on limited information, and often through colored lenses.”

He paused, his voice steady and powerful, carrying a sense of infectiousness: “We are not warlords, let alone seeking secession. My comrades and I are mostly sons and daughters of this land, Kokang compatriots who have lived here for generations. We took up guns and went to the battlefield not for personal gain or to fight for territory, but for resistance! Resistance against those criminal groups that have long entrenched themselves here, acting lawlessly, harming the people, and driving us to ruin! It is to defend the home left by our ancestors, to protect our parents, wives, and children, so they are no longer threatened by drugs, fraud, kidnapping, and violence!”

His tone intensified, carrying an unquestionable sense of justice, as if fire were burning in his eyes: “Speaking of those telecom fraud parks and drug workshops, what are they? They are malignant tumors growing on the body of Northern Myanmar! They are devil's dens that suck human blood and destroy families! How many innocent people, including a large number of compatriots from across the river in Dragon Country, have been deceived, imprisoned, abused, and even lost their lives! For such unscrupulous crimes, any person with a conscience and spirit cannot sit idly by! What our Kokang National Army has done is simply what should have been done long ago but no one ever did—pick up weapons and completely excise these tumors! To return a clear sky to this land!”

These words were transmitted thousands of miles away via satellite signals. Who knows how many Dragon Country viewers, especially those families whose relatives were lured to Northern Myanmar and whose fates are still unknown, listened with red eyes and aching hearts, their favor for this resolute young 'Chairman' increasing greatly. He spoke the words they had kept bottled up for too long!

Su Qing guided the conversation appropriately, a hint of admiration flashing in her eyes: “So in your view, after clearing out these criminal forces, what is the most important task for the Kokang Autonomous Region at present? And what is the blueprint for future development?”

“Development! Construction!” Zhang Cheng answered decisively. He turned sideways and pointed to the map behind him, his finger tracing across that vast land. “Clearing the tumors is only the first step, it is to clear the obstacles for construction. Our entire focus now and in the future is to carry out construction, improve people's livelihoods, and seek development.”

His tone became serious and determined: “We will maintain the most resolute attitude and continue to crack down severely on all illegal and criminal activities, especially drugs—this is our red line, our bottom line, our high-voltage line! Whoever touches it, dies! We will never allow any living space for drugs on this land! We want to make Kokang a pure land!”

“At the same time,” he changed his tone, becoming enthusiastic and full of hope, his face overflowing with confidence, “we must also see that the lands of Kokang and North Wa actually have good natural resources. We have forests, minerals, hydropower, land suitable for farming, and more importantly, industrious and wise people. In the past, because of chaos and crime, these resources were wasted and destroyed. Now, we sincerely invite friends from all over the world—welcome to the Kokang Autonomous Region! Come here to invest and start businesses, participate in construction, and share the fruits of development!”

He looked into the camera, his eyes sincere, as if speaking to every potential investor: “We promise that this place will be safe, stable, rule-of-law, and open! We are committed to creating a first-class business environment, providing preferential policies, and improving efficiency. There are no kidnappings here, no war, no lawless criminal groups, only fair competition and opportunities for common prosperity! We welcome enterprises from Dragon Country, and we also welcome enterprises from all over the world to come here for inspection, investment, and cooperation! We are willing to be everyone's most reliable partner!”

This vision of a 'safe, stable, drug-free, open, and opportunity-filled' new Northern Myanmar he depicted formed an extremely sharp contrast with the international community's stereotype of 'war, drugs, crime, and poverty' in Northern Myanmar over the past few decades; it was simply a world of difference.

“Of course,” Zhang Cheng finally concluded, his tone calm and firm, giving the most crucial political commitment, “we clearly recognize that we are a part of the Federation of Myanmar. We support the unity of the country and are willing to solve historical issues and achieve ethnic harmony and development through peaceful dialogue and consultation within the framework of the federal constitution and laws. Our goal is not secession, but construction—to build a peaceful, prosperous, civilized, and clean new Kokang where everyone living here can have dignity and hope! This road is difficult, but we have the confidence and the determination to walk it one step at a time!”

The exclusive interview was not long, only thirty minutes, but it was packed with information. Zhang Cheng's performance was steady, candid, idealistic, and responsible, perfectly shaping the image of a young regional leader who was 'determined to reform, committed to peaceful development, and cared for the people.'

As soon as the program was broadcast, the effect could be described as explosive.

On the Dragon Country internet, Zhang Cheng instantly became a top trending figure.

“Now this is a real man! This is what you call vision!” “It made my blood boil! This is much better than those who only know how to talk!” “I want to invest over there now, it feels like there's a lot of potential!” “Support Chairman Zhang! The hope of Northern Myanmar!”

Zhang Cheng's image in the hearts of the ordinary people of Dragon Country instantly transformed from 'that warlord who is good at fighting and wiped out telecom fraud' to a 'young and promising regional leader who cares for his compatriots and has ideals and ambitions.' The vision of a 'drug-free, fraud-free, safe, and open' new Northern Myanmar he proposed hit home for many people. Dragon Country's official media followed suit, providing overwhelming coverage of the new policies of the Kokang Autonomous Region, Dragon Country's aid, and the results of cooperation between the two sides, turning Kokang into a 'successful model' and 'exemplary project' for the international community to cooperate in combating transnational crime and assisting regional peace and development.

The benefits brought by this wave of publicity were tangible. Some Dragon Country enterprises that were originally on the sidelines began to actively reach out and inquire about investment policies after seeing the official attitude and field reports. Those involved in mining, agricultural processing, infrastructure contracting, tourism development... they came in an endless stream. The expectation of safety and stability was something they had never dared to hope for in other parts of Northern Myanmar.

Zhang Cheng played this card beautifully, and the results were immediate.