Myanmar citizens are angry and upset over the release of Illegal Chinese loggers

[VALKRYIE]

Chinese nationals, who were jailed for illegal logging, walk out of Myitkyina prison after being released during an amnesty in Myitkyina

By Tim McLaughlin and Hnin Yadana Zaw

YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar's newspapers and social media users reacted with anger and disappointment on Friday to the government's decision to include 155 Chinese in a mass amnesty, just eight days after they were jailed for illegal logging.

News journals slammed the freeing of the loggers, 153 of whom had been sentenced to life imprisonment, while Internet and social media users vented frustration over what they saw as the government caving in to pressure from its massive neighbor.

"I hope the Chinese government reads this," Facebook user Ye Moe said in a post that had received around 1,200 "likes".

"Though you got 153 people back, you also received the hatred of 51 million Myanmar people."

The Chinese were jailed in northern Kachin state bordering China on July 22 and freed in an amnesty for 6,966 prisoners on Thursday, which included some journalists and activists.

China enjoyed a cozy relationship with Myanmar during 49 years of military rule in which the country was subject to sanctions and isolation by much of the West.

Myanmar has re-engaged with many countries since a quasi-civilian government came to power in 2011, but China remains an important diplomatic and economic ally.

Thaung Su Nyein, managing director of Information Matrix, which publishes several news journals, said the government had made no effort to explain its decision to free the loggers and the public's only channel to oppose it was social media.

"There's no explanation - nothing at all," he said. "In Myanmar, we can only talk on Facebook."

China's voracious demand for Myanmar's natural resources has fueled resentment in Myanmar and relations have been strained this year over fighting between its army and a rebel militia that has seen Chinese citizens killed by stray bombs in border areas.

The Chinese loggers were arrested in January and their sentencing prompted a diplomatic protest by Beijing.

Friday's edition of the daily English-language Myanmar Times carried the headline: "Amnesty disappoints as Chinese loggers go free".

There were also political cartoons circulating online lampooning the government's leniency and fear of China, one of which depicted a Myanmar student eagerly rushing towards a school.

"After realizing who is above the law, I decided to take Chinese language classes," the man is pictured saying.

(Editing by Martin Petty)

Freeing of Chinese loggers riles Myanmar citizens - Business Insider

 

[PLANZubr]

After the loggers were sentenced, PLA ground forces made our move along the border. The Myanmar army was surprised and had to retreat before a far superior force. Just like how Burma kowtowed before Qing emperor, now Myanmar had to choose peace with China.

 

[Oldman1]

After the loggers were sentenced, PLA ground forces made our move along the border. The Myanmar army was surprised and had to retreat before a far superior force. Just like how Burma kowtowed before Qing emperor, now Myanmar had to choose peace with China.

That does explain alot why they were released.

 

[opruh]

Developed regions of Myanmar (if there's any) belong to China, don't care about the rest!

 

[TopCat]

Myanmar is a joke regime..
Sentencing some worker for life for cutting trees. When they were shown the balls they had to hide behind the tail.
Only a month ago Indians did the same to them..

 

[TopCat]

Myanmar might look a joke now...If (only if) Military Junta of that nation gives way to a sustainable growth most economist believe that their economy will be far more stable than others...I read this somewhere in an economic survey report....

Their economy could be more like Vietnam in 20 years from now, thats the best.
Lots of activities but empty jar at the bottom..

 

[Reashot Xigwin]

Myanmar might look a joke now...If (only if) Military Junta of that nation gives way to a sustainable growth most economist believe that their economy will be far more stable than others...I read this somewhere in an economic survey report....

Those are just fluff pieces.

 

[Kyle Sun]

Myammer gov has released so many people .Why are they angry with the release of just 153 chinese?

 

[AndrewJin]

Myammer gov has released so many people .Why are they angry with the release of just 153 chinese?

They wanted to save their face by releasing hundreds of to make 153 invisible.....Ok, what a success!

 

[Tom99]

The sentences was biased, unjust, and too severe for what these people did. These lowly workers had no idea what they did was illegal. Their employer bribed corrupted local Myanmarese politicians to log there. The court should have gone after the corrupted politicians and the employers.

Also, Businessinsider is an anti-China biased new sources.(though this time they just repost from reuters)

 

[cnleio]

Bring our ppl back to home, that's the government should do ...

 

[Sanchez]

These "illegal loggers" had legal visa and work permit from Myanmar local authority of the region. It's part of Burmese Union but never actually ruled by Burmese in entire history.

 

[Genesis]

Considering when they bombed China and killed out civilians and we didn't do anything this is more than fair, especially considering it's bogus sentencing and unverified claims.

The fact they can be angry instead of dead is mercy by any standard.

 

[Lux de Veritas]

The economy of Myanmmar East peripheral and China is so integrated you see Chinese involve in almost all kinds of activities.

Even Chinese in not logging, you will see them in telecommunications, service, retail...etc.

Myanmmar Eastern states are wild west frontier for Chinese, who go there strike gold.