As China assesses its role in the Myanmar conflict, cyber scam centers in Myanmar and across Southeast Asia have become a central concern for Chinese officials. These centers use human trafficking along the China-Myanmar and Thailand-Myanmar borders to secure forced labor, targeting victims in Asia, the United States, and Europe. They have emerged as a complicating factor for China in its relations with Myanmar. In the last two months, Beijing has prioritized cyber scam centers in discussions between Chinese and Burmese officials, as well as stepped up cooperation with Thailand on cross-border security where major scam compounds operate. China had previously mentioned cyber scam centers in policy conversations with Myanmar, but they only recently became a focal point, often falling below larger issues like the upcoming 2025 elections and Chinese-mediated peace talks.
Cyber Scam Centers: A Growing Flashpoint in China-Myanmar Relations • Stimson Center
