China asks citizens to evacuate Myanmar border area over security risks

The Chinese Embassy emphasized the escalating safety risks in the Laukkai district, urging Chinese citizens to evacuate promptly

Staff Reporter

Dec 28, 2023, 08:58 AM2 min read

China asks citizens to evacuate Myanmar border area over security risks

This photo taken on Dec. 9, 2023, shows female members of the Mandalay People's Defense Forces (MDY-PDF) standing guard at their base camp in the forest near Namhsan Township in Myanmar's northern Shan State.

In response to heightened security risks, China's embassy in Myanmar issued an advisory on Thursday, urging its citizens to promptly evacuate the Laukkai area in the Kokang region, a border district shared by both countries. The call comes as Myanmar's military government faces a significant challenge, battling ethnic minority rebel groups in its most substantial conflict since seizing power in a 2021 coup.

Since October, clashes have intensified across Myanmar's northern Shan State, triggered by Operation 1027, an offensive launched by the Arakan Army (AA), the Mandarin-speaking Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) against the military. These rebel groups have seized strategic towns and border hubs crucial for trade with China.

The Chinese Embassy emphasized the escalating safety risks in the Laukkai district, urging Chinese citizens to evacuate promptly. Laukkai, known for gambling, transnational human trafficking, and online scams, remains a focal point of the conflict, with the MNDAA determined to recapture the town.

China, mediating talks between the military and the armed groups, recently announced a "temporary ceasefire" agreement. The call for an immediate ceasefire aligns with China's interest in Myanmar's northern region, where a billion-dollar rail line is planned under its Belt and Road Initiative.

In November, rebel groups seized the border town of Chinshwehaw, a vital conduit for the $1.8 billion in annual trade between China and Myanmar. Analysts suggest that Beijing maintains ties with ethnic armed groups in northern Myanmar, given shared ethnic and cultural bonds, use of Chinese currency, and reliance on Chinese phone networks.

Despite being a significant arms supplier and ally of the military, China's relations with Myanmar have faced strain due to the military's failure to address online scam compounds targeting Chinese citizens. The evolving situation raises concerns about the geopolitical implications of China's involvement in Myanmar's internal conflicts.