Myanmar aligns with China’s security initiatives
Regime spokesperson Khaing Khaing Soe told pro-regime media during a press conference in Naypyidaw on Tuesday that Min Aung Hlaing signed up to Beijing’s Global Security Initiative (GSI), Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), and Global Governance Initiative (GGI) during his trip to China June 15-19. She highlighted that Burma is the “only country” to sign up to all four initiatives.
Jason Tower, a senior expert at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, told DVB that Min Aung Hlaing is making “major concessions” by allowing Chinese security personnel to operate in Burma under the Private Security Services Law, which was enacted on Feb. 18, 2025. It allows Chinese security personnel to carry firearms and mandates cooperation with state security forces, though its extent is unspecified.
The GSI was first introduced by China’s President Xi Jinping in 2022. Thirteen out of 23 China-backed projects in northern Shan State and central Burma were seized by various resistance groups, and 10 out of 11 China-backed projects in Arakan State have been seized by the Arakan Army (AA) since offensives were launched in 2023, according to an Institute for Strategy and Policy (ISP-Myanmar) report in 2024.
Pressure on Beijing rises over detention of Min Zin
In a press release on Wednesday, Fortify Rights sharply criticized Beijing for the detention of Min Zin, a prominent scholar and naturalized U.S. citizen from Burma, who has been detained in China for nearly a month on allegations of espionage. International human rights organizations and U.S. policy institutes are calling on China to “immediately and unconditionally release” Min Zin.
“The Chinese government has repeatedly invoked national security as a justification for restricting fundamental freedoms and silencing critical voices,” said Benedict Rogers, the senior director at Fortify Rights. “The detention of Min Zin raises serious concerns not only for his rights and well-being, but also for scholars, researchers, journalists, and those engaged in public affairs.”
Min Zin, the executive director of ISP-Myanmar, was arrested by Chinese authorities on June 3 in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, located near the China-Myanmar border. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian later confirmed the detention, stating that Min Zin is currently under investigation for espionage, including other actions “endangering China’s national security.” Read more
A “Proof of Life” campaign poster, demanding Myanmar provide independent verification that jailed State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi is alive, was placed in front of the UN office in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 14. (Credit: DVB)
ASEAN Special Envoy denied visit with Aung San Suu Kyi
During the press conference in Naypyidaw on Tuesday, Khaing Khaing Soe Soe added that Min Aung Hlaing will not allow the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2026 Chair the Philippines’ Special Envoy to Burma Ma Theresa Lazaro to meet with jailed State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, adding that the ousted leader will only be allowed visits once she has completed her sentence.”
“Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is in very good health” Khaing Khaing Soe told pro-regime media in Naypyidaw on June 30, adding that the 81-year-old receives “regular check-ups.” Aung San Suu Kyi was reportedly transferred from Naypiydaw Prison, where she’s been held by the regime over the last five years following the military coup on Feb. 1, 2021, to house arrest in the capital on April 30.
But no evidence of the relocation has been provided by the regime. Aung San Suu Kyi’s son Kim Aris told Kyodo News on June 29 that he is continuing his campaign to demand “Proof of Life” for his mother. Aris hasn’t been able to communicate with her since 2021, but he received a letter from her nearly three years ago. He believes she is suffering from age-related health issues, including osteoporosis.
News by Region
KARENNI—The Progressive Karenni People’s Force (PKPF) stated on Wednesday that six civilians were killed due to air and artillery attacks carried out by regime forces during the month of June. A total of 878 civilians have been killed in 2,149 airstrikes across the state since the 2021 coup.
A PKPF spokesperson told DVB that regime forces carried out attacks in Karenni’s Hpruso, Demoso and Mobye townships in June, which killed six civilians. A total of 3,405 homes, 67 religious buildings, 33 schools, as well as 19 hospitals and clinics have been destroyed since 2021, according to the group.
SAGAING—The People’s Defence Force (PDF) in the region’s capital Monywa Township told DVB that a member of the local People’s Security Force, which is a police force operating under National Unity Government (NUG) command, was killed during a raid it carried out on its camp on Monday.
The PDF added that the intention was to arrest an undisclosed number of members of the People’s Security Force, who were accused of murdering and kidnapping Monywa residents suspected of spying for the military. The victim was identified as Ar Kuu. The PDF hasn’t reported on the incident.
YANGON—Residents of Dala Township told DVB they still rely on boats to cross the Yangon River despite the opening of the Yangon-Dala Bridge on Feb. 6, citing “inefficient” public transportation options offered by the Yangon Bus Service (YBS). Dala is located nine miles (14 km) south of the commercial capital.
A Dala resident told DVB that he has to wait 15-20 minutes for a bus, adding that the bus terminal is located far from residential areas. Yangon residents told DVB that three people aboard a public motorboat, including the boat operator, were killed after it capsized in the Yangon River on May 28.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,320 MMK)
