Myanmar regime receives navy patrol boats from China

China has handed over six navy patrol boats to the Myanmar junta’s maritime police force in support of bilateral efforts to strengthen law enforcement and combat cross-border crime, the Chinese embassy in Yangon said on Tuesday. In a statement, the embassy said the transfer of the naval vessels was part of an agreement reached between the two countries during a visit by Chinese president Xi Jinping to Myanmar in 2020, when the country was still under civilian rule. The two sides signed at least 33 memorandums of understanding during that two-day visit, covering a number of major projects, including the deep-sea port in Kyaukphyu, a railway linking Mandalay and Muse on the Chinese border, and the New Yangon City urban development project. According to the Chinese embassy, the provision of naval vessels to Myanmar would make transportation on the country’s waterways safer, help safeguard water resources, and assist in search and rescue operations. The handover comes less than two months after a visit to Beijing by Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, the junta’s home affairs minister. During the April 24-29 visit, Yar Pyae signed an agreement with his counterpart, Chinese Public Security Minister Wang Xiao Hong, to receive five million yuan (roughly US$700,000) in assistance for the Myanmar police force, state media reported at the time. He also received the Golden Great Wall Commemorative Medal, awarded to foreign law enforcement officers who contribute to efforts to protect the safety of Chinese citizens. The award was believed to be in recognition of his role in responding to Chinese calls to curb online scam operations in the Kokang Self-Administered Zone, located along the China-Myanmar border in northern Shan State. Late last year, an anti-regime alliance of ethnic armed groups active in the area launched a major offensive, vowing to end cybercrimes committed by groups allied to the junta. In January, China brokered a ceasefire deal between Myanmar’s military and the three-member Brotherhood Alliance, whose Operation 1027 offensive dealt a devastating blow to the regime. However, fighting continues in many areas, including parts of Kachin State bordering China, and in Rakhine State, where the Kyaukphyu deep-sea port and other important Chinese-backed development projects are located. The Myanmar military has relied heavily on its navy to pound coastal towns captured by the Arakan Army—recently renamed the Arakha Army—since it launched its offensive last November. The group now controls nine of Rakhine State’s 17 townships, as well as Paletwa in southern Chin State.In late November, three Chinese navy ships arrived at Yangon’s Thilawa Port to conduct joint drills with the junta navy.

Myanmar regime receives navy patrol boats from China

The transfer of the six vessels comes as the junta is using its naval forces to attack towns captured by the AA in Rakhine State

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