There have been cases in which Myanmar sailors were arrested in China as they worked on ships carrying illegal goods, according to a statement released by the Myanmar embassy in Beijing. 

Most of the Myanmar seamen were arrested for various reasons in China because they worked on the vessels carrying illegal goods. 

“They were usually detained or arrested. Then they faced a lawsuit. When they were facing trial, they were not allowed to meet their family members. They could do so only after they got into prison. Embassy officials arranged the visits,” said a second secretary from the Myanmar embassy. 

Those Myanmar sailors came to know that they were working on ships carrying illegal goods only after they were arrested. 

It is also reported that when such cases came, one or some of the senior officials from the ship would be arrested. 

The Myanmar embassy in Beijing is coordinating with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provincial security departments, police departments and detention camps over the arrests of Myanmar sailors. 

The embassy has urged Myanmar sailors, shipping agencies and relevant organizations to launch educative campaigns and distribute notices for sailors against working on ships carrying illegal goods.