Irrawaddy-Nov 18
China has again demanded that Myanmar’s military regime work out a practical and effective plan to guarantee stability and safety at the border. The demand, issued by China’s Embassy in Yangon on Wednesday, followed the junta’s loss of at least five towns and over 150 positions across northern Shan State to a resistance offensive.
Since Operation 1027 was launched in northern Shan on Oct. 27, at least one Chinese national has been killed, border trade with China through Muse and Chin Shwe Haw has been halted, and Beijing has been forced to provide shelter for thousands who have crossed the border to flee the fighting. China has also expressed concerns for the safety of its investments in Myanmar, including megaprojects in its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. To curry favor with China, the regime has issued arrest warrants for online scam suspects wanted by Beijing in the Wa and Kokang borderlands, while also handing over suspects it has arrested. However, the momentum of the offensive suggests the junta is struggling even to guarantee the safety of its own troops, never mind stability at the border. Just a few months ago, junta troops were raiding village after village in central Myanmar, killing civilians and looting their belongings. But all of a sudden they appear vulnerable, losing towns and bases, suffering heavy casualties, and being forced to go hungry as supply routes are cut. Even Myanmar people have been surprised to see how badly junta soldiers, who were only recently brutalizing unarmed civilians, are now being humbled and demoralized. Read more at: https://www.irrawaddy.com/specials/junta-watch/junta-watch-humbled-regime-helpless-as-china-demands-border-security-hiding-the-scale-of-defeat-and-more.html
