China is ramping up efforts to bring home more of its citizens suspected of fraud-related crimes in Myanmar, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Friday.
The move follows the return of the first group of 200 suspects who were escorted back to China from Myanmar via Thailand on Thursday. They arrived in Nanjing, the capital of eastern Jiangsu Province, on chartered flights.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun confirmed the operation, highlighting the joint efforts between China, Thailand, and Myanmar to combat online gambling and scams along the Thailand-Myanmar border.
“We appreciate the strong steps taken by Thailand and Myanmar to dismantle scam gangs and protect the life and property of citizens from China and other countries,” Guo said.
He emphasized that online gambling and scams harm everyone and will eventually be punished by law. “China has always been firmly resolved in working together with other countries to combat cross-border online gambling and scams and protecting the life and lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens,” he added.
The Chinese Ministry of Public Security reported that Thailand has ramped up measures by cutting off electricity, internet, and fuel supplies to Myawaddy, a region notorious for such criminal activities. Myanmar has also deployed forces to raid fraud compounds, arrest suspects, and rescue Chinese nationals trapped in these operations.
In recent years, Chinese authorities have intensified efforts to tackle rampant telecom and online fraud. Earlier this month, a court in Zhejiang Province tried 23 defendants, including key members of major fraud groups based in northern Myanmar. They faced charges ranging from fraud and intentional homicide to drug trafficking and organizing prostitution.
According to official statistics, between January and November 2023, China’s procuratorial authorities charged over 67,000 individuals with telecom and online fraud, marking a 58.5 percent increase year on year.
The crackdown continues as police have apprehended over 53,000 suspects involved in telecom and internet fraud operating from northern Myanmar since July 2023.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry pledged to continue providing consular protection and assistance, doing everything possible to keep Chinese citizens safe and protect their well-being.
