China has factories secured against vandalism in Myanmar but how can it protect itself from anti-China sentiment?

32 Chinese-invested factories in Yangon were damaged, two Chinese workers were wounded and property damage amounted to US$37.8 million: state media

Beijing is right to be cautious about anti-Chinese sentiment which could extend beyond Myanmar, says academic

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Smoke and flames rise from Chinese-owned factories in Hlaingthaya township on the outskirts of Yangon on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 2:14pm, 19 Mar 2021Updated: 3:43pm, 19 Mar 2021

Myanmar has deployed more forces to strengthen security at an industrial zone where Chinese businesses are concentrated, said a top Chinese envoy to Asean, as Beijing is increasingly caught in one of its neighbour’s worst episodes of political chaos.

Speaking to Chinese and local media on Wednesday, Deng Xijun, Chinese ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), said the Chinese embassy in Yangon had urged local police to take “concrete measures” to ensure the safety of Chinese companies and employees after dozens of Chinese-invested garment factories were vandalised and torched in the latest outbreak of anti-China sentiment on Sunday.

“The Myanmar side has deployed additional police and firefighting forces to the areas involved to strengthen the security,” Deng said, according to a statement published by the Asia department at China’s foreign ministry on WeChat on Thursday night.

“China will continue to urge the Myanmar side to take practical measures to stop all acts of violence, investigate and punish the perpetrators in accordance with the law, and ensure the safety of the lives and property of Chinese enterprises and personnel in Myanmar.”

China has invested heavily in the neighbouring country but citing its non-interference policy, it has insisted that the crisis is Myanmar’s internal affair and Asean should play a central role in resolving Myanmar’s crisis.

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China has factories secured against vandalism in Myanmar but how can it protect itself from anti-China sentiment?

32 Chinese-invested factories in Yangon were damaged, two Chinese workers were wounded and property damage amounted to US$37.8 million: state media Beijing is right to be cautious about anti-Chinese sentiment which could extend beyond Myanmar, says academic

32 Chinese-invested factories in Yangon were damaged, two Chinese workers were wounded and property damage amounted to US$37.8 million: state media

Beijing is right to be cautious about anti-Chinese sentiment which could extend beyond Myanmar, says academic