Amid ongoing widespread atrocities and violence by junta troops and police officers against the Myanmar people, Beijing has enhanced its cooperation with the junta by signing two memoranda of understanding: One on the establishment of a center for cooperation between the two countries’ police forces, and the other on the provision of police equipment and supplies worth 5 million yuan (about US$700,000).
Chinese Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong and junta Home Affairs Minister Yar Pyae signed the MoUs when the latter attended the three-day Global Public Security Cooperation Forum in China’s Jiangsu Province from Sunday to Tuesday.
The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar has not yet reported on the latest assistance package from Beijing.
Wang met Yar Pyae in person during his visit to Naypyitaw in October 2023, followed by an online meeting between the two. On both occasions, they discussed “peace and stability along the border”, “increased cooperation on the rule of law and security,” the security of Chinese projects in Myanmar, a joint crackdown on online scam operations, and the arrest of Chinese fugitives, according to junta media.
A subsequent joint crackdown on online scam operations based in northern Shan State near the border saw the regime transfer hundreds of cyber-scam suspects wanted by China, including crime bosses from the online fraud hub of Kokang. Thousands of Chinese citizens either involved in or trafficked into online scam operations were also handed over to Beijing over the past year.
When Yar Pyae visited Beijing in April, China’s Public Security Ministry awarded him the Golden Great Wall Commemorative Medal, which is given to foreigners who have made outstanding contributions to Chinese security. Yar Pyae is the first general in the current regime to be so honored by Beijing.
During that trip, China pledged 5 million yuan for the junta’s police force, eventually signing an MoU four months later.
Before that, Beijing provided training for Myanmar police officers. In June, it donated six patrol boats to the junta’s maritime police. Earlier, passenger boats donated by Japan were used by the regime for military purposes in Rakhine, so observers believe the China-donated patrol boats will be used for the same purpose.
The delivery of police equipment from Beijing follows junta boss Min Aung Hlaing’s recent vow to retake towns his regime has lost to ethnic armies, and the regime’s announcement of plans to form People’s Security Teams in wards and villages comprising men aged above 35 under the supervision of the police force. The junta also plans to conduct a census next month.
The equipment is also meant for police who guard Chinese projects in Myanmar.
