Factory in Yangon Was Burned, China Asks For Legal Certainty From The Myanmar Military Regime

A Chinese-owned factory catches fire in Myanmar. (Twitter / @ YeeMonOo_04)

JAKARTA - Fires broke out at two garment factories owned by Chinese and Taiwanese investors in the Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Zone, Yangon, as the military regime's security forces carried out repressive measures against Myanmar anti-military protesters in the area on Sunday, March 14.

launched another deadly crackdown on anti-coup protesters in the area.

An industrial estate official said the two factories were Global Fashion, a garment factory-backed by Chinese investors, and Tsang Yih, one of Myanmar's largest foreign-owned shoe factories operated by a Taiwanese investor.

Myanmar government investment agency, notes the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) revealed, Global Fashion is jointly owned by four Chinese investors and a citizen of Myanmar. The company was registered in Myanmar in 2018.

Tsang Yih is also a foreign-owned company owned by two Taiwanese investors. The company registered in 2014 and employed more than 9,000 workers last year, according to a company report.

Officials from the industrial estate said the cause of the fire was still under investigation. However, the Beijing-based China Global Television Network said the factories were set on fire by more than 20 people on motorbikes.

The Chinese media outlet claimed that the suspect carried iron ingots, axes, and gasoline, and hit security guards, setting fire to factory entrances and in warehouses.

Separately, a spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar said many Chinese-owned factories in the Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Zone were looted and burned by criminals on Sunday afternoon, according to Paukphaw, a Chinese-funded media outlet.

The spokesman said many Chinese staff were injured and some employees were trapped for a while by the fire.

Regarding this matter, the Chinese Embassy discussed it with the Chinese Myanmar Chamber of Commerce. They also asked the Myanmar military regime's security apparatus to provide legal certainty, take effective steps to ensure the safety of Chinese companies and citizens.

"China asks Myanmar to take further effective action to stop all acts of violence, investigate and deal with related perpetrators in accordance with the law, and ensure the safety of the lives and property of Chinese companies and personnel in Myanmar," said a spokesman in his official statement.

"We call on the people of Myanmar to state their demands legally and not be instigated or used to undermine friendly cooperation between China and Myanmar," the spokesman added.

Myanmar Coup. The VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in that one of the ASEAN member countries. Casualties from civilians continue to fall. Readers can follow the news covering the Myanmar military coup by clicking this link.