At the ongoing China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) in China, the junta promoted Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State, as a peaceful and prosperous ‘Charm City’. In reality, Myitkyina residents continue to struggle with widespread hardships caused by weak law enforcement.
The 22nd CAEXPO kicked off on September 17 in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southern China, and will run until September 21.
The junta’s exhibition delegation also took part in the CAEXPO, misleadingly presenting Myitkyina as a so-called ‘Charm City’.
On July 24, U Myo Swe, the junta-appointed Minister of Economic Affairs for Kachin State, led a meeting with officials from relevant departments to plan the promotion of Myitkyina as a ‘Charm City’ at the CAEXPO.
Junta’s Prime Minister Nyo Saw and Kachin State Chief Minister U Khet Htein Nan are currently in China for the CAEXPO, where they met with China’s vice president. During the meeting, the vice president reiterated China’s call for the junta to take special measures to ensure the security of Chinese investment projects in Myanmar.
At CAEXPO, the junta praised Myitkyina as a ‘Charm City,’ but in reality, the city suffers from weak law enforcement and is rife with theft, unsolved murders, robberies, and burglaries.
“In Myitkyina, you always have to stay on your guard no matter where you go. Women are especially at risk, often targeted by robbers and muggers, while men can face these dangers from time to time as well,” said a man from the city.
Crimes are happening not just at night but even in broad daylight, yet junta-appointed authorities are turning a blind eye and taking no effective action, locals lamented.
“The best advice I can give is to stay indoors after dark and stick to the main, busier roads. Going down empty alleys is just asking for trouble,” the Myitkyina resident added.
In Myitkyina, thefts, robberies, and muggings have risen in September compared to previous months, and it’s becoming more common for communities to band together to catch the perpetrators.
In early September, a 6-year-old girl went missing in Nawngnang Village, Myitkyina Township, and three days later her body was discovered with a stab wound.
On September 8, locals in Kachinsu Ward, Myitkyina City, caught a mugger, and a photo of him wearing a placard that read ‘I’m a mugger’ went viral on social media.
On the same day, an armed robbery occurred at a gold shop in Aungnan Ward, Myitkyina City, with security cameras capturing the thieves snatching gold jewelry.
On September 12, locals surrounded and apprehended three young men who attempted to rob phones in Khaymar Thiri Ward.
On September 14, a thief was caught by the public in Sitarpu Ward, with a placard reading “I’m a thief” tied around his neck. That same day, locals apprehended a burglar in Tatkone Ward.
Myitkyina Township hosts Chinese investment projects, while Myitkyina City holds a strategic position for China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), also known as the New Silk Road Project, and the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor.
The Institute for Strategy and Policy – Myanmar (ISP-Myanmar) reported that the projects linked to Myitkyina City within the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor mainly include the Myitsone Dam, the Myitkyina-Tigyaing Highway, and the Myitkyina Economic Development Zone.
Since seizing power in the 2021 coup, the junta has been working with China to restart the previously suspended Myitsone Dam project.
Of Kachin State’s 18 townships, Chipwi, Tsawlaw, Sumprabum, N Jang Yang, Momauk, and Mansi are controlled by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and its political wing, the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).
