The State Administration Council (SAC) has alleged that the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) are sheltering Chinese nationals involved in online scams in their ethnic armed organization (EAO) areas.

The SAC spokesperson, Major General Zaw Min Tun, made the claim during a press briefing on various issues concerning Myanmar-China relations, border security, and illegal immigration.

According to Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, the SAC has received information that the TNLA and the MNDAA are forcibly recruiting people over the age of 15 in the regions they control. He also said that the EAOs are hiding some Chinese citizens who are engaged in online fraud by taking money from them. He described the online fraud issue as “more complicated and mysterious than we thought”.

He further accused the EAOs of being involved in drug operations, while pretending to fight against online gambling and financial fraud. He said that some media outlets are trying to damage the ties between Myanmar and China, which he said are close and cooperative.

He also reported that the SAC has repatriated 12,316 Chinese citizens who were illegally residing in Myanmar from October 31 to December 23. He added that 1,054 Vietnamese, 534 Thais, 132 Malaysians, two Singaporeans, 20 South Koreans, one Ugandan, four Taiwanese, and four Indians were also sent back to their respective countries.