China demands protection from its factories in Myanmar

Attacks on Chinese-owned factories in Myanmar’s largest city prompted China on Monday to demand that such facilities and their workers be protected.

However, in Myanmar anger grows towards China for its silence in the face of the government’s crackdown on the protests that have emerged against the recent coup.

In Beijing, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the Chinese embassy in Myanmar had contacted local authorities to demand that they protect Chinese property and nationals.

The Myanmar government dispatched police and firefighters to guard factories, scattered throughout various industrial zones in Yangon, spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters in Beijing. He added that China is monitoring the situation and “is extremely concerned about the security of Chinese institutions and nationals” in Myanmar.

A message from the Chinese embassy in Myanmar posted on Facebook about measures to protect Chinese factories there drew a torrent of criticism.

“Does that hurt? And what about all the protesters who are dying? ”Wrote someone by the name of Naing Oo.

“If they want to do business in Myanmar and be left alone, then respect the people of Myanmar,” said Aye Myat Kyaw. “Stop supporting the terrorist army and support the people of Myanmar.”

Some accused the Myanmar police of purposely targeting Chinese factories to cause further instability.

More than 100 civilians have been killed by security forces since the February 1 military coup, according to a tally by the Association for the Assistance of Political Prisoners. Many more have been injured and others have been arrested.

Attacks on factories have disrupted an already difficult situation. Much of the hundreds of textile factories in Yangon and other cities are run by Chinese companies. Many are private companies that sell their products to prominent fashion brands, sports teams, or household items.

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Fu reported from Bangkok. Correspondents Liu Zheng in Beijing and Elaine Kurtenbach and Kiko Rosario in Bangkok contributed to this story.

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