I don't know the actual reason either but if i would have to guess the reason probably is that that area was the largest available at the moment and China is pushing forward with the project because they want as much of BRI ready (since this is also supposed to be a part of that project) in the least time possible as they can. At least the things that leaked so far seem to indicate that.

Don't get me wrong btw this is a huge mismanagement of assets by the government as well, but in this case at least not taking a look at what their project erases is kinda not a good strategy here and it makes it even worse that this is actively hurting the movement here.