• Burmese
Friday, June 13, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
27 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

CCTV Contract with Huawei Will Guard Against Spying: Mandalay Chief Minister

Myat Pyae Phyo by Myat Pyae Phyo
July 18, 2019
in Burma
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
Downtown Mandalay near the Zay Cho Market / Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy

Downtown Mandalay near the Zay Cho Market / Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy

5.8k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

MANDALAY—The Mandalay regional government is proceeding carefully in drafting its contract with Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, which has been chosen to supply a CCTV surveillance system as part of the “Safe City” project being implemented by Myanmar’s second-biggest city, the region’s chief minister has promised.

Widespread international allegations surfaced earlier this year that Huawei has close links to Beijing and has been involved in espionage against Western governments. The allegations also prompted public concerns that Beijing will use the Safe City project to conduct surveillance of activities in Mandalay, from the movements of citizens to the daily functions of the regional government. IT experts have warned that Huawei equipment could have a “backdoor” for use by government spies looking to access citizens’ data.

Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Zaw Myint Maung acknowledged the need to get down to the serious business of preparing a contract for the project with Huawei.

RelatedPosts

Is TNLA, Under Chinese Pressure, Conceding Northern Shan Gateway to the Regime?

Is TNLA, Under Chinese Pressure, Conceding Northern Shan Gateway to the Regime?

June 13, 2025
248
China Defends Myanmar Junta on Human Rights at UN

China Defends Myanmar Junta on Human Rights at UN

June 12, 2025
823
Toxic Thailand Rivers Pinned on Myanmar Mines

Toxic Thailand Rivers Pinned on Myanmar Mines

June 11, 2025
626

“We are seriously considering this matter. Though we are doing this with good intentions, if something goes wrong, we’ll have to take the blame. So, there is no room for error. The contract is extremely important. Just one or two [problematic] clauses in the contract would be enough to get us in trouble,” the chief minister told The Irrawaddy.

The regional government in the first week of July submitted a draft contract to the President’s Office and the Union Attorney-General’s Office. The President’s Office has sought feedback from concerned ministries, and the Union Attorney-General’s Office is scrutinizing the legal aspects of the draft contract.

In May, Mandalay Region Minister for Electricity, Industry and Construction U Zarni Aung unveiled Mandalay’s “Safe City” crime prevention plan, for which Huawei will provide smart surveillance cameras and other security equipment.

The plan followed a rash of muggings in Mandalay in December and January. It calls for CCTV cameras to be installed at crime-ridden intersections and other areas in the city, starting with Maha Aung Myay, Chan Mya Thazi and Pyi Gyi Tagun townships, which are large in size and have relatively high crime rates.

The cameras will use artificial intelligence (AI) and facial-recognition technology, as well as alarm systems to alert the nearest police station in case of a crime, according to U Zarni Aung.

One of the important provisions in the contract is to ensure there are safeguards against spying, U Zaw Myint Maung said.

Huawei Myanmar deputy general manager Zhu Bo told The Irrawaddy last month that his company never has and never will monitor any information, including personal data, transmitted over the network or equipment provided by Huawei, nor will the company ever provide the Chinese government with customer information.

The regional government is also scrutinizing the language of the contract, after the Union Attorney-General’s Office found that the Chinese side had added new clauses to the Chinese-language version of an agreement establishing a sister city relationship between Mandalay and China’s Xianxi some months ago.

“The [contract] will be complete after the Union Attorney-General’s Office sends back its remarks and we make changes as necessary. We have to continue with this plan. We can’t renege on it,” U Zaw Myint Maung told The Irrawaddy.

The project is expected to cost around 1.9 billion kyats (about US$1.25 million). The smart CCTV monitoring system should come into operation within six months of the contract being signed.

The Mandalay regional government awarded the contract to Huawei without inviting tenders. Citing tender instruction No. 1/2017, U Zarni Aung said: “[The regulation] says we don’t need to invite tenders so long as the project is in the public interest and requires a huge investment, and the company we choose is internally accredited.”

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a Union-level official expressed the view that the Mandalay regional government should reconsider its planned partnership with the Chinese tech giant.

Mandalay City already has a CCTV surveillance system in place with over 130 cameras installed at important entry and exit points and public places, according to the Mandalay regional government.

You May Also Like These Stories:

Amid Int’l Espionage Concerns, Mandalay to Embrace Huawei for ‘Safe City’ Project

Huawei to Supply Mandalay’s ‘Safe City’ Project with Cameras, Security Equipment

Your Thoughts …
Tags: CCTVChinaCrimeHuaweiMandalaySafe CitySecuritySurveillance
Myat Pyae Phyo

Myat Pyae Phyo

Similar Picks:

Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang
Burma

Exodus: Tens of Thousands Flee as Myanmar Junta Troops Face Last Stand in Kokang

by Hein Htoo Zan
November 28, 2023
98.3k

Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army troops are opening roads and pathways through forests for people to flee Kokang’s capital as...

Read moreDetails
Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses
Business

Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses

by The Irrawaddy
November 27, 2023
38.5k

Jin San Jiao is latest northern Shan State trade hub in crosshairs of ethnic Brotherhood Alliance.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar’s BGF: A Family-Run Criminal Enterprise With Friends Across Asia
Burma

Myanmar’s BGF: A Family-Run Criminal Enterprise With Friends Across Asia

by The Irrawaddy
May 22, 2024
37.2k

A new report by JFM spotlights the organized crime empire of junta-allied Karen warlord Saw Chit Thu and his family,...

Read moreDetails
Brotherhood Alliance Marching Towards Capital of Myanmar’s Kokang Region
Burma

Brotherhood Alliance Marching Towards Capital of Myanmar’s Kokang Region

by The Irrawaddy
November 25, 2023
31k

Chinese embassy urges citizens to flee Laukkai Town as ethnic armies prepare to drive Myanmar junta troops from Kokang’s capital.

Read moreDetails
Notorious Myanmar Arms Broker Convicted of Cash Smuggling in Singapore 
Burma

Notorious Myanmar Arms Broker Convicted of Cash Smuggling in Singapore 

by The Irrawaddy
January 8, 2024
28.8k

US-sanctioned Kyaw Min Oo and two accomplices were caught at Changi airport with over half a million dollars.

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Detains Generals Who Surrendered to Resistance in Laukkai
Burma

Myanmar Junta Detains Generals Who Surrendered to Resistance in Laukkai

by The Irrawaddy
January 8, 2024
24k

The detention of the six brigadier generals is required under the military’s rules following last week’s surrender to the MNDAA,...

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Dr. Cynthia Maung, founder of the Mae Tao Clinic, poses for a photograph, June 2019. / Nyein Nyein / The Irrawaddy

Accessible Healthcare Requires Local Participation: Dr. Cynthia Maung

Government representatives and members of the KNPP delegation meet in Napyitaw on July 17, 2019. / Htet Naing Zaw / The Irrawaddy

Govt Suggests KNPP Sign Ceasefire this Fall

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

The Hidden Fallout From China’s Cross-Border Crime Crackdown in Myanmar

The Hidden Fallout From China’s Cross-Border Crime Crackdown in Myanmar

4 days ago
1.4k
How the Myanmar Military’s Propaganda Efforts Have Evolved Over the Decades

How the Myanmar Military’s Propaganda Efforts Have Evolved Over the Decades

2 days ago
926

Most Read

  • Civilians in Need as Arakan Army Advances on Kyaukphyu

    Civilians in Need as Arakan Army Advances on Kyaukphyu

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Advances into Karenni State

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Jade Hub Burns as Junta Counteroffensive Penetrates Hpakant

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • China Defends Myanmar Junta on Human Rights at UN

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • High-Level Ministerial Meeting Held to Speed Up Preparations for Myanmar Junta’s Election

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.