China, Myanmar strengthen fight against gambling and fraud
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on Myanmar to continue strengthening efforts against online gambling, telecom fraud and other cross-border crimes during talks with Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing in Beijing on Tuesday (16 June).
The remarks came during Min Aung Hlaing’s five-day state visit to China, his first since assuming the presidency in April, as both countries pledged closer cooperation on security, border stability and law enforcement.
According to Chinese state media, Xi said China places relations with Myanmar as a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy and supports Myanmar’s efforts to coordinate development and security while pursuing a path suited to its national conditions.
China and Myanmar are “good neighbours and good partners”, Xi said, adding that the two countries should strengthen solidarity and collaboration amid a changing international environment.
Joint commitment against cross-border crime
A key focus of the talks was the continued fight against online gambling and telecom fraud, which have emerged as major security concerns across Southeast Asia.
Xi said China was willing to increase support for Myanmar’s post-earthquake reconstruction and urged both countries to continue combating criminal activities, including online gambling, telecom fraud and drug trafficking.
“China is ready to step up support for Myanmar’s post-earthquake reconstruction and implement more ‘small yet smart’ assistance projects,” Xi said, adding that the two countries should continue cracking down on online gambling, telecom fraud, drug trafficking and other criminal activities to safeguard the interests and security of their peoples.
The Chinese president also highlighted the need for security coordination as part of broader bilateral cooperation, alongside political trust, economic development and people-to-people exchanges.
In response, Min Aung Hlaing said Myanmar would work closely with China to tackle cross-border criminal networks.
“Myanmar is willing to work closely with China to resolutely crack down on online gambling and telecom fraud and safeguard border security and stability,” he said.
He also pledged to ensure the safety of Chinese enterprises and personnel operating in Myanmar and reaffirmed Myanmar’s adherence to the one-China principle.
Security cooperation expands
The latest commitments build on a series of joint law enforcement efforts launched by the two countries over the past two years. China has repeatedly warned about the risks associated with overseas gambling activities, saying cross-border gambling can expose participants to financial losses and facilitate crimes including fraud, money laundering, kidnapping, human trafficking and smuggling. Beijing has amended domestic legislation to criminalise the organisation of cross-border gambling activities targeting mainland Chinese citizens.
Chinese authorities have also intensified efforts to dismantle online gambling and scam operations across Asia that target Chinese consumers, expanding cooperation with neighbouring countries to combat telecommunications fraud and related criminal activity.
Following Tuesday’s talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements covering transportation and livelihood projects. Chinese state media reported that the leaders also discussed advancing the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor and strengthening bilateral trade and investment cooperation.
China’s Foreign Ministry said bilateral trade between China and Myanmar totalled $19.4 billion in 2025, up 19.1 per cent from the previous year.
Crackdown efforts intensified in 2025
The renewed pledge follows a series of enforcement actions and diplomatic engagements throughout 2025 aimed at tackling criminal syndicates operating along the China-Myanmar border.
In February 2025, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Ma Jia and Assistant Minister of Public Security Liu Zhongyi held talks in Naypyidaw with Myanmar Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister U Than Swe and Home Affairs Minister Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung on strengthening cooperation against online gambling, telecom fraud and human trafficking.
According to a statement from the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar, both sides exchanged views on combating telecom fraud, online gambling and human trafficking. Myanmar highlighted measures already introduced to curb such activities and proposed establishing a regular cooperation mechanism with China and neighbouring countries.
China praised Myanmar’s efforts to protect Chinese citizens and described online gambling and telecom fraud as threats to public safety and financial security. Beijing also pledged to deepen bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Myanmar, Thailand and other regional partners to address what it described as the “tumour” of online gambling and telecom fraud.
Major Myanmar-linked criminal network prosecuted
China’s campaign against cross-border gambling and fraud networks also gathered momentum in September 2025, when a court in Shenzhen concluded the first-instance trial of 21 members of a criminal organisation accused of operating casinos, fraud centres and kidnapping operations in northern Myanmar.
The defendants, led by Bay Saw Chain and Bay Yin Chin, faced charges including fraud, intentional homicide, kidnapping, extortion, operating casinos, organising prostitution, illegal detention and drug offences.
According to prosecutors, the group established 41 compounds in Myanmar’s Kokang region from August 2009 onwards. Authorities said the compounds housed illegal businesses protected by armed guards linked to the organisation, with gambling- and fraud-related funds exceeding 20 billion yuan ($2.8 billion).
The operations were linked to telecom fraud, forced prostitution and illegal border crossings, while at least six Chinese nationals were reported killed and several others injured.
Chinese officials said the case underscored the scale of organised criminal activity operating across borders and reinforced the need for continued regional cooperation to eliminate gambling- and fraud-related networks targeting Chinese citizens.
The recent meeting in Beijing signals that tackling online gambling and telecom fraud remains a central component of China-Myanmar security cooperation, alongside efforts to strengthen border stability, economic ties and regional security coordination.
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