At the end of July, the People’s Defense Forces seized and controlled the Nytagong nickel factory in the northern tip of Mandalay, where a Chinese-owned mining company invested US$855 million. After clearing the military council camps around the factory, about 60 military council soldiers and police left 64 weapons and ammunition in the courtyard of Tagong Nickel factory and left. Currently, NUG is responsible for the safety of the factory and its employees. Because the factory is under the control of NUG’s forces, China has already discussed with NUG to ensure the factory’s security and re-operation. It is known that China is coordinating to pay taxes to the NUG rather than paying taxes to the Military Council. The ALPHA cement factory, which is a joint venture with China, is still occupied by NUG forces in Matara Township, Mandalay Region. The military council and China could lose millions of dollars because the cement factory was destroyed by the army.
There are about three large Chinese projects in Burma. Kyauk Phyu Deep Sea Port Project in Rakhine Sagaing Division’s Lepataung Copper Project and Tagong Nickel Factory. Now, China’s investment activities have gradually come into the hands of revolutionary groups, including the NUG. The Kyauk Phyu deep sea port in Rakhine will soon be in the hands of AA. The military council can no longer protect those Chinese projects. As soon as these projects are controlled, China will have to deal with revolutionary organizations, including NUG.
