The Chinese embassy in Myanmar
urged all Chinese nationals to leave northern Myanmar amid escalating unrest. The region, which shares borders with China’s Yunnan Province and Tibet Autonomous Region, has become the site of ongoing military operations between the ruling junta in Naypyidaw and an alliance of rebel ethnic armed forces known as the Three Brotherhood Alliance.
Mao Ning, the Deputy Director of China’s Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urged Chinese citizens to stop traveling to the region and instructed them to “move to a safe zone or return home as soon as possible”, while taking necessary safety precautions. Describing the situation in northern Myanmar as “severe and complex”, Mao stated that China’s position is for all parties to uphold the ceasefire and advance peace talks to maintain tranquillity in the border region. Furthermore, she expressed hope that every party involved would exercise maximum restraint and take concrete steps to protect the safety and security of Chinese projects and personnel in Myanmar.
The border region is known for its dangerous undertones, with various operations relating to gambling, human trafficking, and fraudulent activities. A
report released by the United Nations in August highlighted how criminal syndicates have pushed thousands into online criminal activities, including partaking in fraudulent investment schemes and illegal gambling. Chinese officials have
repeatedly urged Myanmar to curb these criminal activities and reduce lawlessness around the borderlands. Interestingly, shutting down such operations is also one of the
self-declared goals of the Three Brotherhood Alliance.
These developments follow a
announcement in mid-December, when China revealed it had brokered a temporary ceasefire between the conflict parties. The Myanmar conflict has been going on since the Arakan Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army started their operations on October 27.