Claims made by certain individuals suggesting that the Three Northern Brotherhood Alliance's statement regarding stability in the territory under their control is aimed at safeguarding Chinese business projects and investments.
The Three Northern Brotherhood Alliance, consisting of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and the Arakan Army (AA), released a statement on July 1.
It states that strong measures will be taken against anyone who disrupts international investment projects. It also emphasizes that there will be no interference or taxation on investment companies or individuals, and legal action will be pursued against anyone who commits a crime. In early June, a meeting took place in Mongla Township on the Chinese border between the Military Council and the Three Northern Brotherhood Alliances, namely the MNDAA, TNLA, and AA, due to China's intervention.
According to a political analyst in the Kachin region, the issuance of such a statement following the discussion was solely motivated by China's business interests.
In the past three years, Chinese business projects have been expanding in northern Shan State, and their implementation is underway. There are efforts to extend these projects along the Lashio-Muse road. Most likely China is behind this latest statement out of concern to protect these projects.
After the coup there several rallies against China’s support for the Junta with some protestors
staging rallies against Chinese investors. AP news agency reported on March 15th 2021, that attacks on Chinese-run factories in Myanmar’s biggest city (Yangon) drew demands Monday from Beijing for protection for their property and employees, while many in Myanmar expressed outrage over China’s apparent lack of concern for those killed in protests against last month’s military coup. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the Chinese Embassy had contacted authorities in Myanmar and urged that police be deployed to protect the Chinese companies and personnel.
This has made China wary about the ongoing unrest in 2023.
The analyst commented that, “ It seems that this statement of the Brotherhood Alliance followed on after a meeting between China and the military in Mongla. There are ongoing efforts to establish a harmonious relationship with China discreetly. By examining their activities in the region, it becomes evident that their primary objective is to safeguard China's economic projects from any potential disruptions. In Rakhine, significant ventures such as the Kyaukphyu project are already underway. Everything is connected to these."
"China's major business projects are underway. The OBOR railway project and other ventures have been implemented here for several years. Some are now operational. In Kutkai Township, there is a large cattle company owned by prominent Chinese businessmen," a political expert from northern Shan State told KNG.
The Chinese company CREEG conducted feasibility studies for the China-Myanmar railway project along the Mandalay-Muse road starting from 2019. China's railway project is a planned infrastructure undertaking that aims to connect China's Yunnan Province to Myanmar's northern Shan State, passing through Mandalay and extending to Kyaukpyu Township on the Rakhine coast.
Currently, residents of Kutkai Township have reported the presence of signs indicating Chinese business projects and land designations in certain areas, and along the roadsides of the Lashio-Muse Asia Highway.
On June 27, there were rumors circulating about a group of Chinese businessmen visiting from Kan Paik Ti for the Namjim Economic Zone project in Myitkyina Township. However the KNG news agency was unable to independently verify these reports.
This political analyst in the Kachin region also observed that China consistently exerts pressure on various organizations and armed resistance forces, not only in the Kachin region but throughout Myanmar, to ensure that projects managed by China remain unaffected.
The KNG News Agency has attempted to contact the Three Northern Brotherhood Alliances regarding their statement but has been unable to reach them at this time Despite the political conflicts and socio-economic problems that emerged after the coup, China continues its efforts to conduct business in Myanmar but given the widespread instability and warfare since the coup, it means China is extra wary about revolutionary forces targeting Chinese investment that is
viewed as bolstering the rule of the Junta.
