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Myanmar’s changing ties with China

Myanmar’s changing ties with China
News and analysis on China-Myanmar relations. Beijing has been Naypyitaw’s closest ally for two decades and is its biggest trading partner.
Vendors sort vegetables at a market in Naypyidaw on December 29, a day after the first phase of Myanmar’s general election. Photo: AFP
Myanmar

As I see it | Why China is Myanmar’s only real hope

A general election won’t end the country’s brutal civil war, but regional coordination by key neighbouring countries without Western interference might.

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Myanmar

Are Myanmar hospital air strikes a bid to ‘intimidate’ voters ahead of poll?

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Myanmar

Myanmar’s criticism of Takaichi signals ‘loyalty’ to China ahead of election

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Myanmar

Opinion | Why China is succeeding in Myanmar while the West has been sidelined

The West’s incoherent strategy is no match for a ruthless, integrated Chinese approach that leverages economic links to its advantage.

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing in Moscow in May, on the sidelines of celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II. Photo: Xinhua
Myanmar

Political show? Why Myanmar is again cracking down on cyber scammers

Myanmar’s junta has been under pressure to raid fraud hubs by China as its citizens have been badly affected by these scammers, analysts say.

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US-China relations

US lawmakers urge Trump to condemn Myanmar’s China-backed ‘sham’ elections

Call comes after government’s plan to stop legal protections for Myanmar nationals in US, citing elections as proof situation was improving.

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Myanmar

Chinese court gives death sentence to Myanmar crime syndicate boss Bai Suocheng

He and core members of his group are said to have run industrial-scale fraud and gambling operations that led to deaths of Chinese citizens.

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Bai Suocheng (centre) was sentenced to death on Tuesday, as were his son Bai Yingcang and three close associates. Photo: CCTV
Myanmar

China brokers Myanmar rebel pullback from ruby mining town

Rebels abandon key areas Mogok and Momeik after Beijing-led talks, signalling a shift in the civil war’s dynamics.

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Rohingya Muslims

Opinion | Why China should lead commission for a phased Rohingya repatriation

Given its Rakhine interests and diplomatic clout, Beijing could oversee a plan for return, ensuring security, rights and economic reintegration.

Myanmar

13 killed in Myanmar junta strike on rebel-occupied ruby mine

Myanmar is rich in precious stones and rare earth elements coveted by all factions to boost war chests.

Damage to a building is seen following a bombardment carried out by Myanmar’s military in Thabeikkyin township, in the Mandalay region of central Myanmar on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Crime

Chinese police investigating 5 missing teens warn of telecoms crime risk

Some families report their missing loved one was last seen in a border area or relatives had received messages from Myanmar.

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Myanmar’s Myawaddy area is a notorious epicentre of scams run by crime gangs using an army of workers – many of them trafficked – to con tens of billions of dollars each year from victims across the globe. Photo: AFP
Crime

Chinese model lured to Myanmar with scam job rescued after sister raises alarm

25-year-old missing since June 9 was rescued on Friday, prompting new warning from Chinese embassy in Thailand about high-paying job offers.

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Myanmar

Xi’s Moscow meeting of Myanmar junta leader signals China’s backing of regime

Xi’s meeting highlights China’s increasing support for Myanmar’s isolated regime and indicates a strategic alignment with Russia, analysts say.

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China-India relations

Opinion | Void left by US aid cuts could be vital test for China-India detente

As the world struggles to send aid to Myanmar, New Delhi and Beijing have a chance to emerge as leaders in humanitarian relief.

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People reach up for food aid being distributed in Sagaing, Myanmar, on April 3, following the March 28 earthquake. Photo: AFP
Asean

Myanmar earthquake: can Asean step up to fill US aid vacuum?

The US aid retreat opens ways for China and India to use their humanitarian assistance to build influence.

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The Chinese government’s second batch of emergency supplies arrives at Yangon International Airport on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua
Myanmar

Myanmar’s double disaster: an earthquake and a heartless junta

As quake survivors dig through the rubble for loved ones with their bare hands, the military bombs villages and seeks diplomatic openings.

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Hong Kong

Editorial | Rescue heroes brave dangers on all fronts in Myanmar tragedy

As death toll from powerful earthquake rises, teams from Hong Kong and mainland China still hope to find life in ruins while civil war goes on.

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2025 Myanmar earthquake

China urges Myanmar to protect rescuers after military fires shots at aid convoy

Chinese earthquake relief team confirmed safe after Myanmar’s military admits to firing warning shots, causing rescuers to retreat.

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A team from the Red Cross Society of China has been deployed to Myanmar to help with relief efforts following a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake on Friday. Photo: Xinhua
My Take

China leads relief for quake-hit Myanmar. But will civil war stymie aid efforts?

China can play critical role in persuading junta and rebel groups to stop fighting to allow for relief work following devastating earthquake.

Crime in Hong Kong

Last of 6 Hongkongers recently freed from scam farm in Myanmar returns home

Security Bureau vows to save the three remaining residents on its list in bid to crack down on forced-labour scams in Southeast Asia.

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Crime

Chinese court tries Myanmar gang accused of scams, drugs, extortion, murder

The 23 members of the group allegedly played a role in a scheme that caused the deaths of 14 Chinese.

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A Chinese court has begun hearing charges in the cases of 23 people accused of a range of crimes related to a Myanmar gang, including for telecoms fraud, murder, intentional injury, illegal detention, running a gambling den and running prostitution, according to China’s state media. Photo: SCMP
Crime

Why the Thailand-Myanmar border is a hub for gangs preying on Chinese nationals

The recent rescue of kidnapped actor Wang Xing has highlighted the transnational criminal networks that thrive in the region.

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Wang Xing shakes hands with a Thai police officer after his rescue. Photo: Reuters
Crime in Hong Kong

Hongkonger stuck in Thailand to fly home on Monday after scam farm ordeal

Security chief Chris Tang ‘thankful’ to secure return of 29-year-old in time for Lunar New Year.

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Myanmar

In Asia’s forgotten war, reluctant rebels mark 4 years of bloody chaos

For thousands of guerilla fighters, the dream of a free Myanmar still burns bright – even after four years of ruinous civil war.

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Crime in Hong Kong

Thailand assures Hongkongers over safety amid forced labour scams

Thai consulate in Hong Kong says country is working with neighbouring countries to clamp down on scam farms.

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A view of Myanmar’s Myawaddy, along the border with Thailand. The area is home to some of the notorious scam centres. Photo: AFP
Myanmar

Myanmar deports over 50,000 suspected online scammers to China amid crackdown

Myanmar’s ruling junta has called on neighbouring countries to help combat the issue, which analysts say is worth billions of dollars.

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Myanmar police hand over telecom and internet fraud suspects to Chinese police at Yangon International Airport in 2023. Photo: Chinese embassy in Myanmar/Xinhua
Crime

China and Thailand detain 12 gang members suspected of Myanmar trafficking scam

News of the joint crime-fighting effort comes after top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi urges Asean countries to crack down on cross-border fraud.

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Crime

Chinese actor Wang Xing says fraud gang trafficked him to Myanmar scam compound

Actor who went missing near Thailand-Myanmar border confirms he fell victim to human trafficking scheme disguised as film casting call.

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