Hanoi agrees to deepen defence ties with Naypyidaw
Vietnam agreed to deepen defence and security cooperation with the military regime in Burma, elevating the sector to a pillar of bilateral ties as Vietnamese leader Tô Lâm hosted regime leader Min Aung Hlaing in Hanoi from Sept. 4-6. The two agreed to expand cooperation in information sharing, military training, exchanges between officers, search-and-rescue operations and disaster response.
“Vietnam stands ready to share its experience in national development, ensuring economic security and fostering sustainable growth,” Vietnamese President Tô Lâm was quoted as saying by state media during the talks with Min Aung Hlaing, according to a statement. Both sides also reaffirmed a commitment not to allow any individual or organisation to use one country’s territory for activities against the other.
The Hanoi summit was held during Min Aung Hlaing’s first official visit to Vietnam after being inaugurated Burma’s president on April 10. The two said they would strengthen political trust through more high-level exchanges, make better use of existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, as well as create closer ties within the 11-member regional bloc, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
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Justice For Myanmar condemns Vietnam for hosting regime leader
The whistleblower group Justice For Myanmar (JFM) condemned Vietnam’s decision to host Min Aung Hlaing in Hanoi from Sept. 4-6, adding that any engagement with Naypyidaw will deepen ties through telecommunications, military equipment, aviation fuel and military training with a regime accused of committing crimes against humanity on its own civilian population.
“Vietnam must stop backing a military junta that is slaughtering civilians, committing rape and sexual torture,” Yadanar Maung, the JFM spokesperson, stated in a press release on Sept. 3. “The Myanmar military’s ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity are supported by revenue, technology and surveillance support from Vietnam through Mytel,” added Yadanar Maung.
Min Aung Hlaing met with Vietnamese President Tô Lâm and executives from Vietnamese companies, including Viettel and VinFast. He also attended a Myanmar-Vietnam business forum. The state-owned telecommunications company Viettel launched a joint venture in 2018 with the military’s Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC) known as MyTel. VinFast is a Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer founded in 2017.
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Regime vows ‘safe’ returns ahead of Malaysia refugee repatriations
Naypyidaw pledged “safe and dignified” returns for Burma nationals displaced abroad, after the U.N. and rights groups raised concerns about the upcoming repatriation of 1,500 refugees from Malaysia. The regime’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also repeated its disavowal of the persecuted ethnic Rohingya nationality, members of which campaigners fear may be plunged back into danger by the repatriation scheme.
Non-refoulement is a core rule of international law that bans countries from forcing refugees or asylum seekers back to a place where they face torture, cruel treatment, or threats to life and freedom. In July, Malaysia said Myanmar had agreed to take back 5,000 members of the Rohingya nationality, an ethnic group which has faced a campaign of violent discrimination and genocide in Burma since at least 2017.
Both countries say a first wave of nearly 1,500 Burma nationals will be repatriated voluntarily from Malaysia to Burma on Sept. 29, although it is unclear how many Rohingya will be included. “Myanmar is committed to working closely with Bangladesh and friendly countries to facilitate the voluntary return of verified displaced persons in a safe and dignified manner,” the regime stated on Sept. 3.
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News by Region
AYEYARWADY—An embankment along the Ngawun River near Htain Ngu village in Laymyethna Township began sinking on Thursday, raising fears of another breach as hundreds of thousands of residents remain affected by flooding that began after the collapse of an embankment on the same river on July 31.
“The first embankment still hasn’t been fully repaired, and now we’re worried that another one could breach. We need more machinery and people to work on it,” a Laymyethna resident told DVB. Aid workers are currently attempting to reinforce the embankment with sandbags. Read the full article on our website
YANGON—At least seven neighborhoods in low-lying areas of Hlegu Township, including Aungmingalar, Myoma, Yeiktha, Neikban U, Santhawdar, Thidar Aye and Yankin wards were flooded on Wednesday after heavy rainfall caused the water level of Nga Moe Yeik Creek to rise. Hlegu is located 26 miles (42 km) north of Yangon.
“The condition will worsen if the rain continues in the upcoming days,” a Hlegu resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. A flash flood warning is in place for North Okkalapa, South Okkalapa, North Dagon, South Dagon, Thingangyun, Thaketa, Dawbon, Pazundaung, and Mingalar Taung Nyunt townships. Read the full article on our website
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Read our story and check out our photos from the Karen Traditional Wrist Tying Ceremony at Chiang Mai University on September 5.
