Narinjara News, July 26, 2025

According to a local who keeps a close eye on the military situation in Kyaukphyu, the Chinese government warned AA not to engage in combat near Chinese projects, such as OTG, during the ongoing conflict there. The Chinese government also provided the military council with modern drones, technical support, and military hardware.

“China’s involvement is the reason for the protracted conflict in Kyaukphyu. The AA leadership was reportedly instructed not to engage in combat close to Chinese initiatives, such as OTG. Conversely, they are supplying the military council with drones, technology, and military hardware,” he claimed.

China's participation has thus restricted the Arakan Army's assaults, which is why the fight for Kyaukphyu has lasted so long, he claimed.

"The military council is employing Chinese technology and drones in the ongoing fight for Kyaukpyu. The military council is unable to engage the AA in combat on the ground. The city is being defended by the military council with the help of contemporary Chinese drones. Chinese security workers are also assaulting with drones, in addition to offering technical support,” he said.

Chinese project in Kyauk Phyu

He stated that some of the Arakan Army's field commanders and supporters are also unhappy with China's behavior.

Furthermore, there are unsubstantiated rumors that China is pushing the Arakan Army not to attack Kyaukpyu.

On the other hand, China has been meddling in Myanmar's internal affairs and openly backing the military council, even though it says it doesn't.

The Mandalay People's Defense Forces (MPD) claimed on July 20 that Chinese-made weapons had been confiscated during the fighting in Mandalay Region's Madaya and Patheingyi townships.

Justice for Myanmar (JFM) also issued a statement on July 25 urging foreign governments to place sanctions on China North Industries Co. Ltd (NORINCO), a Chinese arms company that supplies the military council with weapons and technology and is complicit in the council's crimes.

The Chinese government is working with the military government in Kyaukphyu, Rakhine State, on a number of Chinese projects to extract natural gas at cheaper prices, irrespective of the needs of the local Rakhine population.

Chinese made weapons seized by PDF