Myanmar coup raises risk of delays for Chinese investors, analyst says

Military announced that it will replace top government officials in departments, ranging from finance to foreign economic relations

This could mean that some deals will have to be renegotiated, observer says

Reading Time:3 minutes

Military personnel stand guard at a checkpoint in Naypyitaw on Tuesday. Photo: AP

Published: 8:00am, 3 Feb 2021Updated: 8:15am, 3 Feb 2021

Chinese investors in Myanmar might face delays in the aftermath of the country’s coup, with the military replacing a raft of top government officials, according to an observer.

Myanmar’s military government said on Monday night that it would replace about a dozen senior ministry officials appointed by the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi.

The ministries affected include finance, international cooperation, foreign economic relations as well as interior and foreign affairs.

Some of the officials were involved in talks on Chinese investment, adding to uncertainty over Chinese projects, according to Yin Yihang, a researcher on Myanmar affairs at the Taihe Institute, a Beijing-based think tank.

“Many of the people replaced used to be involved in economic cooperation,” Yin said.

“It means that some deals may need to be renegotiated, and this could discourage many Chinese investors.”

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x