Los Angeles Myanmar Movement (LA2M), a human rights organization dedicated to supporting the democratic movement in Myanmar and exposing the atrocities of the military government to the international community, recently issued a statement condemning the continued support of the Chinese Communist regime for the Myanmar military government. This has exacerbated the already severe humanitarian crisis in the country and raised concerns about national sovereignty and debt traps.
Since the military coup in Myanmar in 2021, LA2M, comprised of Myanmar diaspora in Los Angeles, has been actively involved in various protests, fundraising, and advocacy activities to shed light on the atrocities of the military government and urge support for the basic human rights of the Myanmar people.
Despite the Myanmar military government possessing advanced weaponry, a thorough investigation by the BBC World Service has revealed that they currently only control less than a quarter of Myanmar’s territory, indicating a weakening grip of power. According to the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), the National Unity Government (NUG) in Myanmar enjoys overwhelming popular support with a staggering 92% approval rating from the diverse population of the country.
As of early this month, about 3.4 million people in Myanmar have been displaced. Mismanagement by the military government has doubled the poverty rate to 40% in 2022, leading to an economic crisis that threatens regional stability.
Rebel forces in northern Myanmar have dealt a historic blow to the military, overturning their northeastern command headquarters in early August and gaining control of a large area in the Kachin State rich in rare earth elements (REEs). The Arakan Army (AA) has nearly complete control over the Rakhine State. On the 20th of this month, the AA claimed to have “completely captured” the western command headquarters in Ann Township.
Despite pressure from China, resistance forces continue to oppose the military government. On October 18th, the Kachin Independence Army seized control of the town of Ponepyin, acquiring rare earth mineral deposits worth billions of dollars, challenging China’s dominance in the rare earth market.
LA2M believes that Beijing’s aggressive response to the situation in Myanmar has backfired. The current authorities have taken punitive measures against major resistance organizations and cut off their resources. They have also pressured the Ethnic Resistance Organization (ERO) to sign a ceasefire agreement and tacitly allowed the military to carry out airstrikes using weapons provided by China.
China has lent high legitimacy to the leader of the military government in Myanmar, Min Aung Hlaing, by funding and technically supporting the simulated elections scheduled for 2025. This endorsement of the military government excludes genuine opposition forces and alienates the overwhelmingly supportive Myanmar people engaged in the resistance movement. These actions have sparked protests among Myanmar overseas diaspora, including Chinese dissidents residing in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) and its key projects, such as the $2.5 billion oil and gas pipeline and the $7.3 billion Kyaukphyu deep-sea port, have promised economic growth but come at a heavy cost. Environmental degradation threatens ecosystems, harming communities reliant on agriculture and fisheries; forced land acquisitions have led to mass displacement and a series of ongoing protests.
The Kachin population’s opposition to the resumption of mineral production due to environmental damage has led China to impose a trade embargo on Kachin, cutting off electricity and essential supplies. China has also required the establishment of a joint security company to protect its investments in Myanmar, seen as an attempt to directly control territory, sparking strong opposition.
Myanmar’s increasing dependence on Chinese investment is evident as the country owes China $4 billion in national debt, constituting 40% of the total national debt. With an interest rate as high as 4.5%, much higher than that of the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund, these loans are often used for projects strategically important to China rather than benefiting the local communities, further deepening concerns over debt traps.
LA2M believes that China’s support for an unstable and unpopular regime in Myanmar warrants international attention, and they actively urge the global community to be vigilant about China’s involvement in Myanmar.