Youth activists in central Myanmar burned a Chinese flag on Thursday amid mounting anger over Beijing’s unwavering support for the military junta.
“We want the world to know that the Chinese government is working together with the fascist military junta in Myanmar that is abusing and killing our people,” Burmese Swan Htet Bo, president of the Monywa Youth Association, told RFA.
The protest at a traffic junction in the city of Monywa, in the Sagaing region, was the latest outburst of anger at China, which has poured money into factories and mines across the country.
In the months after the February 2021 coup, 32 Chinese garment factories were burned down, according to the Myanmar Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, and while attacks by anti-junta forces on Chinese projects damaged water supply pipelines to the Letpadaung copper mine. in Salingyi Township of Sagaing.
A gas pipeline linked to China and a nickel plant in the Mandalay region were also attacked.
There has been a spike in anti-China sentiment in the Yangon, Sagaing and Mandalay regions following a meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and junta chief General Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw. 2 of May.
Activists say the junta siphons revenue from Chinese-backed projects and other foreign investment to buy weapons and equipment it uses to crack down on opponents of its rule.
attack on chinese pipeline
Thursday’s protest came just four days after a paramilitary group known as the Natogyi Guerrilla Force attacked junta troops guarding an office used to operate a Chinese oil and gas pipeline, located about three miles east of the Natogyi township in Mandalay region.
An NGF member told RFA that the night attack on May 7 was planned in response to visits by Chinese officials to Naypyidaw in recent weeks.
“Their actions anger the people of Myanmar because they are supporting the fascist army,” said the NGF member, speaking on condition of anonymity, citing security concerns. “That is why we attacked the office by firing three 60mm rockets. There was also an exchange of fire.”
The attack killed two junta soldiers and injured another, he said, adding that the military took the wounded to the Myoma hospital in Natogyi for treatment.
RFA was unable to independently verify the number of junta casualties claimed by the NGF.
The group said that since the attack, the board has assigned more than 80 security personnel to protect the office, up from 20 previously.
When contacted about the RFA attack, Thein Htay, the junta’s finance minister and spokesman for the Mandalay region, said he was “not aware of the incident” and could not comment.
In addition to Qin Gang’s visit, Peng Xiubin of China’s International Liaison Department met with former military junta leader Than Shwe and Thein Sein, former head of Myanmar’s quasi-civilian government from 2011 to 2016, on a visit to four days to the capital in late April, during which he promised economic assistance from Beijing.
Qin’s predecessor Wang Yi visited Myanmar in July last year, although he was unable to meet Min Aung Hlaing, while China’s special envoy for Asian affairs Deng Xijun has met the junta chief at least twice since December.
Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
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