Myanmar-China Watch

Beijing backs controversial poll plan while ignoring ASEAN’s consensus on halting junta violence against civilians.

The regime has announced that it is working on a deal with Beijing to establish a bilateral company to protect Chinese projects and personnel in Myanmar.

Experts say Min Aung Hlaing hopes to weaponize Beijing’s plans for a railroad through Myanmar against ethnic armies and rebels who hold much of the territory.

During his visit to China, Min Aung Hlaing inspected BYD’s headquarters in Shenzhen. His son, Aung Pyae Sone, imports the firm’s electric vehicles to Myanmar. 

While the China trip was diplomatically successful, it won’t help solve the military crisis Min Aung Hlaing faces, observers said.

Regime boss pledges protections and benefits for investment as Beijing offers backing while turning blind eye to war crimes against civilian population.   

The civilian government said Beijing’s invitation to the junta leader to summits in Kunming would strain ties between China and the Myanmar people.

Analysts say the invitation is only a lukewarm endorsement from Beijing and could backfire.

The delegation is known to include Shwe Than Lwin Group’s Kyaw Win, as well as Xiao Sen, who was behind a shady, now-suspended development project in Yangon a decade ago.

Ahead of Min Aung Hlaing’s trip to China, a number of former military intelligence men visited Beijing on behalf of a shadowy ‘think tank’.