Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged Myanmar to continue its efforts against illegal online gambling and related criminal activities, as Beijing maintains pressure on Southeast Asian nations to dismantle cross-border scam operations targeting Chinese nationals.
The comments came during a meeting between Xi and Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing in Beijing on Tuesday, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to tackling online gambling, telecom fraud and security issues along their shared border. According to state-run outlet China Daily, Xi called on Myanmar to “continue to combat criminal activities including online gambling,” while stressing the need for further cooperation between the two countries.
Min Aung Hlaing said Myanmar was “willing to work closely with China to resolutely crack down on online gambling and telecom fraud and safeguard border security and stability,” according to the report. The renewed commitment comes as China continues a wider regional campaign against online scam compounds, many of which have operated from Myanmar’s border regions and combined illegal gambling, investment fraud and forced labor operations.
Earlier this year, Chinese authorities executed 11 people linked to scam centers in Myanmar after they were convicted of crimes including intentional homicide, fraud and operating illegal casinos. At the time, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Beijing was working with Southeast Asian countries to eliminate what it described as the “scourges” of online gambling and telecom fraud. However, the continued focus on Myanmar highlights the challenges faced by authorities in fully dismantling these networks. The executions came nearly a year after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that scam compounds near the Myanmar border had been “completely eradicated,” with later developments showing that criminal groups had adapted and relocated rather than disappeared entirely.
China’s concern over the operations extends beyond illegal gambling targeting its citizens. Many scam compounds have relied heavily on trafficking victims from China and other countries, with workers lured by promises of legitimate employment before being forced into online fraud operations. The issue has caused diplomatic pressure across the region, with several governments calling for the rescue and repatriation of their nationals trapped in such facilities.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Min Aung Hlaing also sought to reassure Beijing over the safety of Chinese interests in Myanmar, stating that the country “attaches great importance to the safety of Chinese enterprises and personnel in Myanmar and will make every effort to ensure their security,” according to China Daily.
The crackdown on scam networks in Myanmar and Cambodia has also triggered a shift in criminal activity across Asia. Authorities have reported that many operators have moved to other jurisdictions, including Sri Lanka, Thailand and Laos, adopting more mobile structures and increasingly sophisticated methods to avoid detection.
