BANGKOK — The Chinese Consulate situated in Myanmar’s second-largest city of Mandalay sustained minor damage due to an explosive device, although there were no reported injuries, according to the military, independent media sources, and local residents. The incident occurred on Friday, but no group has claimed responsibility for the attack as of Saturday.
The Chinese government has been a significant supporter of Myanmar’s military regime, which assumed control by ousting the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021. Since then, the military has been engaged in fierce battles against various resistance factions that are challenging its authority. Following the explosion, the military released a statement indicating that some roof tiles on the two-story consulate had been damaged in the incident. Authorities have launched an investigation to apprehend the perpetrators they refer to as “terrorists.”
Currently, the military is embroiled in extensive conflict with pro-democracy guerrilla fighters and ethnic minority militias. After suffering substantial setbacks late last year, when ethnic armed organizations managed to capture significant areas in the northeastern region near the border with China, the military’s position has been increasingly precarious. These military defeats have raised concerns for Beijing regarding the stability of Myanmar’s military government, given the close ties China maintains with some of these ethnic groups.
Reports suggest that China has attempted to persuade some of the more influential ethnic minority groups that it has good relationships with to dissuade those that initiated the offensive in the northeast last October. Initially, it was believed that China had tacitly supported these groups’ actions, which were perceived as a measure to tackle rampant criminal activities, notably extensive online scams and human trafficking, primarily managed by ethnic Chinese gangs that have put Beijing in a difficult position.
Alongside Russia, China is one of the main arms suppliers for Myanmar’s military. It also holds the title of Myanmar’s largest trading partner and has invested considerable funds into the country’s resource sectors, including mining, oil, gas pipelines, and various infrastructure projects. Conversely, the military regime faces international isolation and sanctions from Western countries due to its seizure of power in 2021 and various human rights violations.
Recently, independent media sources reported that Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the commander of the ruling military council, is scheduled to visit China in the upcoming weeks for the first time since taking control. Reports from online platforms such as The Irrawaddy and Khit Thit detail the incident involving the explosive device at the Chinese Consulate located in Mandalay’s Chanmyathazi township.
A local resident from the Chanmyathazi area, speaking under a condition of anonymity for fear of military reprisals, noted that security measures around the consulate have intensified following the explosion, with several surrounding roads being closed off. The shadow National Unity Government, which spearheads the opposition against military rule, issued a statement condemning the attack on the consulate, emphasizing that it will continue to oppose any actions that threaten to incite racial and religious discord.