China's new proposal sparks controversy in Myanmar

China’s proposal to establish a joint security company with the Burmese military government has sparked fierce controversy in Myanmar.
According to the Voice of America on November 21, China’s recent proposal to establish a joint security company with the Burmese military government has been strongly criticized by Burmese NGOs and experts. They believe that China’s move infringes on the country’s sovereignty and shows that the military government is unable to guarantee security.
According to a report in the Burma Daily on November 8, the Burmese military government set up a 13-member committee on October 22 to review China’s proposal and draft a memorandum of understanding on the joint security company. During the process, the committee evaluated the logistics of the draft memorandum of understanding, including the import of weapons and security equipment. At the same time, it claimed that the plan would ensure that it would not harm Burma’s sovereignty and security.
Burmese observers believe that the proposal may have been made after the bombing of the Chinese consulate in Mandalay on October 18. The issue suggests that China is wary of investing in Burma amid the country’s ongoing political instability.
“China’s most important task in Burma is to ensure the stability of the Belt and Road Initiative,” said a Burmese expert who asked not to be named. “The military government’s inability to control the revolution has forced China to take other measures.”
It is understood that China’s construction projects under the China-Burma Economic Corridor, including oil and gas pipelines, have faced increasing threats since the opposition declared a “people’s war” in 2021.