Tag: Myanmar

Chinese companies mum as international companies condemn Myanmar’s growing violence
21Mar mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
World

Chinese companies mum as international companies condemn Myanmar’s growing violence

Even though several multinational companies have publicly condemned the military coup in Myanmar, China has remained silent.According to media reports, Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business (MCRB) a Yangon-based rights group, has called for companies to sign a joint statement of concern for the coup, but companies from China are absent.A total of 216 companies have signed the statement yet there has been no participation from Chinese companies.This comes in the backdrop of several Chinese companies being the targets of arson attacks, which have increased public scrutiny over the stance of these companies on the coup. “China won’t allow its interests to be exposed to further aggression… If the authorities cannot deliver and the chaos continues to spread, China might be forced into taking ...
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Myanmar junta rolls in armoured vehicles to major cities, cuts internet
16Feb mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
World

Myanmar junta rolls in armoured vehicles to major cities, cuts internet

The Myanmar military on Monday deployed armoured vehicles in the major cities and forced a near-total internet shutdown as the citizens’ protest against the coup intensified, demanding a return to civilian rule in Myanmar."A near-total internet shutdown is in effect in Myanmar as of 1 am (local time); real-time network data show national connectivity at just 14 per cent of ordinary levels following state-ordered information blackout; incident ongoing," said NetBlocks, an internet's observatory which tracks disruptions and shutdowns across the world.As per media reports, armoured vehicles have rolled into Myanmar cities and internet access has been largely cut off amid fears of a crackdown on anti-coup protesters after nine days of mass demonstrations demanding a return to civilian rule.On ...
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Facebook to limit Myanmar military-controlled pages for spreading misinformation
15Feb mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
World

Facebook to limit Myanmar military-controlled pages for spreading misinformation

Treating the situation in Myanmar as an emergency, Facebook on Friday said that it has decided to reduce pages controlled by the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw) on grounds of spreading misinformation.Facebook said that it will remove misinformation claiming that there was widespread fraud or foreign interference in the 2020 elections.“We are closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation in Myanmar, and are in close communication with governments, institutions and non-governmental organisations that care deeply about Myanmar’s future,” said Facebook.On February 12, Facebook released a detailed statement regarding the actions undertaken to protect free speech in Myanmar and limit pages and accounts controlled by the military.For Myanmar citizens, Facebook is the main source of news and a pla...
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China, Russia pull out from UNHRC resolution on Myanmar
13Feb mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, World

China, Russia pull out from UNHRC resolution on Myanmar

China and Russia on Friday pulled out from a United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution which calls for the release of Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint along with other detained persons following the military coup on February 1.China, Russia and others pulled out and their envoys said they are “disassociating” from the resolution. Myanmar’s ambassador called the document unacceptable.Earlier, UN Special Rapporteur Thomas Andrews had condemned the arbitrary detention of government officials and human rights leaders in Myanmar.He also cited “growing reports and photographic evidence” that security forces have used live ammunition against protesters.The UNHRC resolution stressed the need to refrain from violence and fully respect human rights, fund...
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UK summons Myanmar Ambassador in London over military coup
3Feb mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
World

UK summons Myanmar Ambassador in London over military coup

Myanmar's ambassador in London has been formally summoned to hear the UK's concern over the military's seizure of power, British Envoy Barbara Woodward said.As the military in Myanmar seized power, state counselor Aung Suu Kyi along with other top politicians were detained in the early hours of Monday, with Myanmar's military declaring a one-year state of emergency."Myanmar's ambassador in London has been formally summoned to hear the UK's concern," Woodward told a press conference at the UN.Woodward said her deputy at the UN had held a "useful conversation" with Myanmar's UN envoy, who represented the toppled government.UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier condemned the coup and detention of civilians and called on the military to respect the vote of the people."I condemn the coup and ...
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US may re-impose sanctions on Myanmar following coup: Biden
3Feb mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
World

US may re-impose sanctions on Myanmar following coup: Biden

The United States might re-impose sanctions on Myanmar following the military coup there in which Counsellor Aung Suu Kyi along with other top politicians were detained and a state emergency of one-year was imposed.In a statement dated Monday, US President Joe Biden said that Washington will “stand up for democracy wherever it is under attack.”“The military’s seizure of power in Burma, the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and other civilian officials, and the declaration of a national state of emergency are a direct assault on the country’s transition to democracy and the rule of law,” Biden said in a statement.“The United States removed sanctions on Burma over the past decade based on progress toward democracy. The reversal of that progress will necessitate an immediate review of our sanctio...
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Banks closed, ATMs shut down in Myanmar following military coup
2Feb mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
Market, World

Banks closed, ATMs shut down in Myanmar following military coup

Major disruptions of internet services following the military coup in Myanmar has led to the shutdown of banks now, according to media reports.According to media reports, banks under the Myanmar Banking Association have announced a unified closure from February 1. Besides, the ATM machines of major banks are also not operating in Yangon.A poor internet connection linked to the state of emergency also affected operations of construction sites in Yangon, and many supermarkets in the city decided to cut opening hours and called on residents to refrain from panic buying.Telecommunications in the capital city of Naypyitaw and some other regions and states have also been cut off.Earlier, the Myanmar military declared a state of emergency in the country for one year, following the coup, where Aun...
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Developer says ‘New City’ on Thai-Myanmar border part of BRI, despite China’s denials
29Sep mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, Singapore, World

Developer says ‘New City’ on Thai-Myanmar border part of BRI, despite China’s denials

The Chinese developer of a “new city” project on the Myanmar-Thai border has insisted the project is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), despite the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar denying the claims.The project in Karen State, known locally as the Shwe Kokko New City after the village where it is located, was launched in 2017 by Yatai International Holdings Group (YIHG) after the company signed a deal with a local ethnic Karen armed group, the Border Guard Force (BGF).Locals have criticised the project over what they see as a lack of transparency, as well as confusion over the scale of construction and a growing influx of Chinese migrants. Also, suspicions have been aroused over possible illicit activity and concerns about the social impacts of casino businesses.From the beginning,...
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Myanmar continues pushback against China’s BRI
23Aug mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, World

Myanmar continues pushback against China’s BRI

In yet another setback for China’s expansionist plans, the Myitkyina Financial Growth Zone (MEDZ) – a part of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) – is behind schedule due to reservations from the Myanmar government and its residents.China’s headache continues to multiply in its southern neighbor Myanmar with a series of BRI associated infrastructure projects that hopes to provide Beijing access of Bay of Bengal facing critical pushback.After the Yangon mega city project where Beijing’s position has been minimized China funded Myitkyina Financial Growth Zone (MEDZ) – which was scheduled to be ready by 2021 – in Myanmar’s Kachin state is yet to take off due to serious differences between the Myanmar government and Chinese firm over land acquisition and compensation package.It wa...
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Myanmar to involve foreign partners in China-funded mega city project
17Aug mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
China, World

Myanmar to involve foreign partners in China-funded mega city project

In another pushback against China, Myanmar has decided to involve international partners in a key project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) - the Chinese funded mega Yangon City Project.The Myanmar government has decided to open up the project for other foreign firms besides China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), as it is not keen that one single company dominates the mega project, according to sources with knowledge on the matter.According to sources, the project has been a source of controversy due to its flood-prone location as well as the CCCC’s involvement.“The CCCC has been accused of corruption relating to development deals in at least 10 countries in Africa and Asia”, they said.During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Myanmar early this year, the two sides had ...
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