China continues to supply Burma with military equipment

A blog by Burmese exiles in Thailand (Vimutti) has published photos of new military vehicles delivered to Burma from China on 15 January. The vans are the same model that was used to transport soldiers and prisoners during September's crackdown. However, Chinese diplomats insist they are working hard to get the Junta to negotiate with the opposition and to make efforts in terms of human rights. Kio, our Observer for Burma, comments on the situation.

Kio is a refugee living in Bangkok. He prefers to remain anonymous.

China's been supplying the Junta with military equipment since 1988. They even gave them a million-dollar loan to be able to buy the stuff, which is mainly heavy artillery and military vehicles. The Chinese authorities have reason to want a calm Junta. They don't want any trouble because the Olympic Games are on their way, and also because they want to avoid an influx of refugees. That's why they openly criticised the crackdown in September. That was a first. But at the same time, they want to maintain their trade links, particularly to sustain sales of military material. However, competition has recently increased, especially with India, who actually succeeded in selling fighter-planes to Burma last year. The trucks that come through the Sino-Burmese border - the FAW models - have been used by the army for the past 20 years. According to the blog that published these photos, they were giving a ‘present' to the junta, probably in exchange for jade, teak or farming produce."

Chinese FAW trucks in Ruili (Sino-Burmese frontier)

The LIFAN model. Four-hundred and fifty have been delivered since December