Myanmar Home Affairs Minister Lieutenant-General Yar Pyae left for Jiangsu Province on Sunday at the invitation of China’s Public Security Ministry to attend the three-day Global Public Security Cooperation Forum ending Sept. 10.
The junta only sent a deputy minister to previous forums in 2022 and 2023.
China is actively courting Yar Pyae in order to ensure the safety of its investments in Myanmar. Last October China’s Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong visited Myanmar for talks with junta boss Min Aung Hlaing and Yar Pyae, and Wang and Yar Pyae also met for the 7th Myanmar-China ministerial meeting on law enforcement and security cooperation.
Their meeting took place three days after the Brotherhood Alliance of three ethnic armies launched a large-scale offensive against the regime in northern Shan State.
Junta media reported that they discussed peace and stability along the border, increased cooperation in the rule of law and security, the safety of Chinese projects in Myanmar and a joint crackdown on online scam operations.
The meeting was followed by a joint crackdown on online scam operations based in northern Shan State near the border. The junta subsequently handed over 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 handed over to Beijing.
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 safety. Yar Pyae is the first general in the current regime to be so honored by Beijing.
China also gave the junta’s police force 5 million yuan (about US$690,000) during Yar Pyae’s visit, where he discussed eradicating online scams and human trafficking that have proliferated on the Myanmar side of the border.
This may explain why Beijing has now specifically invited Yar Pyae to the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum. Official junta media have not provided details about what he will discuss and who he will meet during his visit.
At the forum last year, junta officials discussed the “increasing threat” of unmanned aerial vehicles with law-enforcement officials and experts from some 50 countries and regions.
Meanwhile, the regime has stepped up aerial campaigns in territories seized by ethnic armies and resistance groups since Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Naypyitaw in mid-August.
During his visit, Wang also called for ensuring the safety of Chinese projects and staff in Myanmar, and Min Aung Hlaing promised to do his best.
