Myanmar Photo: VCG

Based on anonymous sources, there are media reports hyping that Chinese state-owned firms have been "evacuating" non-essential staff from Myanmar after the recent attacks in which a number of Chinese firms were targeted. However, with information being fragmentary and unconfirmed, hearsay-based conjecture is not conducive to easing tensions.

The South China Morning Post reported that Chinese authorities have instructed state-owned enterprises to evacuate non-essential staff from Myanmar after Chinese-run factories were attacked. Other staff to be pulled out of the country includes "those who have reached the end of their rotations, workers who have not yet been inoculated against the coronavirus, employees living on remote sites and those facing serious local situations," the report said.

It is far-fetched to deduce that some routine working arrangements by Chinese firms, such as evacuating staff who have reached the end of their rotations, was due to the recent attacks. Besides, any coping measure of individual companies won't change the whole landscape of Chinese investment in the Southeastern Asian Country and there is no need to read too much into it. Under the current situation in Myanmar, scattered hearsay may bring in unnecessary surmises or even misguidance.

Chinese firms value the Myanmar market, especially under the framework of the upgraded ASEAN-China Free Trade Area and the newly inked Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). 

China is the largest trading partner and the second largest investment resource of Myanmar, with economic and trade exchanges growing rapidly in recent years. The two sides have committed to further promoting the construction of China-Myanmar Economic Corridor. Among the vibrant cooperation, there involves not only state-owned firms, as well as many small-sized and private companies.

As for the recent attacks which targeted 37 Chinese firms in an industrial zone in Myanmar's commercial capital Yangon which has led to both personnel injuries and property losses, Embassy of China in Myanmar has made clear response that the incident was egregious, and the lawless vandalizing, looting and arson attacks stood at odds with the interests of Myanmar and its people. 

After the incident, The Myanmar side has sent additional police, fire and rescue forces to the region to maintain order and deal with the situation on the ground.

China-Myanmar economic and trade cooperation is based on the principle of mutual benefit. It helps boost Myanmar's economic and social development and delivers benefits to the local people. Meanwhile, a sound business environment is essential for Myanmar's long-term development.

The international community should create a sound external environment for Myanmar to properly resolve current differences.

The article was compiled based on an interview with Zhou Shixin, a director in Institute for Foreign Policy Studies, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS). bizopinion@globaltimes.com.cn