According to CCTV News, from the afternoon to the evening of March 14, local time, more than ten factories in multiple industrial zones in Yangon, Myanmar were set on fire and smashed. Most of the companies involved were Chinese-funded enterprises or Sino-Myanmar joint ventures. , mainly garment processing factories, garment accessories factories and supporting equipment factories. Most of the arsonists rode motorcycles and carried iron rods, axes and gasoline barrels. After rushing into the factory, they first smashed and intimidated the factory workers on duty, and then started to set fire. At present, the identity of the arsonist cannot be determined.
The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar confirmed that many Chinese personnel were injured and some employees were trapped for a time. The Embassy once again issued safety reminders to Chinese companies and personnel in Myanmar. In addition, as the situation in Myanmar continues to intensify, more and more shipping companies have had to suspend cargo bookings and close local offices.
01. Chinese-funded enterprises were beaten, smashed, looted and burned, and our embassy in Myanmar requested that they be investigated and dealt with in accordance with the law
On the afternoon of March 14, a number of Chinese-owned factories in the Laydaya Industrial Zone in Yangon, Myanmar were beaten, smashed, looted and burned by criminals. Many Chinese personnel were injured and some employees were trapped for a time.
The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar immediately contacted the China Enterprises Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar and related companies, and quickly requested the local police to take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese-funded companies and personnel. The embassy also once again issued safety reminders to Chinese companies and personnel in Myanmar.
China’s friendly policy towards Myanmar is oriented towards all Myanmar people. China-Myanmar economic and trade cooperation has always been based on the principle of mutual benefit and win-win, with special emphasis on benefiting the local people in Myanmar. The vast majority of the companies affected this time are from the textile and garment industry. Investment by Chinese companies in this field has created nearly 400,000 jobs in Myanmar. The actions of lawless elements also harm the interests of the Myanmar people.
The nature of this incident of beating, smashing, looting and burning is very bad. China requires Myanmar to take further effective measures to stop all violent acts, investigate and deal with relevant perpetrators in accordance with the law, and ensure the safety of lives and property of Chinese companies and personnel in Myanmar. We call on the people of Myanmar to express their demands legally and not to be incited and used to undermine the friendly cooperation between China and Myanmar.
02. The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar established a WeChat emergency contact group
A textile industry practitioner in Myanmar said that the Consular Office and Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar have established a WeChat emergency contact group with all the victimized companies to collect statistics on the actual situation of all victimized companies. But he also believed that the local police had “little effect” in responding to the matter because “the local Yangon police could not control it at all at this time.”
As early as two days before the smashing incident, there were already organizations on local social media threatening to “reduce” Chinese-owned factories to ashes. On the 12th local time, an account “Kyaw Win” officially certified as “Founder and Executive Director of Myanmar Human Rights Network (BHRN)” issued a message on Twitter to warn the Myanmar military, saying that if “a civilian is killed” during the demonstration, If killed, a Chinese factory will be reduced to ashes.” The tweet received numerous retweets, including from an account called “Myanmar Milk Tea Alliance.”
03. Shipping companies suspended bookings and the supply chain was blocked
As the crisis in Myanmar intensifies, more and more shipping companies have suspended cargo bookings and closed local offices.
“The situation is extremely critical,” Maersk Myanmar told customers. “The ongoing unrest is turning into a catastrophe,” “taking a toll on the physical safety and mental health of our employees.” “The Yangon-based office has suspended all activities until March 14, noting that staff will not work from home.
CMA CGM has also suspended inbound import shipments, but added: “Our export options remain open and CMA CGM employees facilitate the transportation of your cargo remotely.”
Myanmar has seen days of massive popular protests, causing delays at Yangon’s main container terminal as truck drivers and customs officers took part in the protests. Daily protests, resulting in internet blackouts, curfews, factory closures and banking system disruptions, have further deepened the disruption to supply chains.
Scan Global Logistics Asia CEO Rickard Ingvarsson said: “We, like many other companies, have employees working from home to ensure safety.”
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Scan Global Logistics Myanmar country manager David Ramalingam added: “Most shipping lines refuse to accept bookings and are unable to provide space or equipment.” “With the city’s main port MIP being congested, import and export cargoes are being held up because of feeder lines. Ships docking at MITT ports face customs issues and trucking goods to ports far away from major city limits. Due to roadblocks, it is a challenge within city limits for trucking to pick up goods from factories and transport them to warehouses and ports. ”
Ramalingam added that Yangon Airport has minimal staff and only temporary flights. He noted that trucking to Bangkok is still an option, although space there is also limited. “In addition, factories in Myanmar are operating with limited personnel, causing production delays,” he said.</p
