#ShameOnYouChina: Burmese Population Condemn China for its Reported Assistance in Nationwide Internet Blockage and Support for Military Coup

On Feb 14, 2021, armoured vehicles were deployed by the Myanmar military in response to the escalation of the demonstrations in the country.

On the morning of Feb 15, the military shut down the country’s internet, which left the national connectivity to only 14% according to the internet observatory #NetBlocks. The internet was resumed at 9am.

Netizens suspected China's intervention by delivering hardwares that helped the internet shut down.

A screenshot showing 6 flights from Kunming to Yangong was posted on social media this morning, with hashtags #ShameOnYouChina and #ChinaHelpMilitaryCoupForOwnBenefit. Multiple universities in Myanmar also issued open letters to Chinese Communist Party (#CCP) leader #XiJiping demanding China to stop recognising the military dictatorship in Myanmar.

Previously, there have been photos circulating on the internet implying China assisted the Myanmar military by providing hardwares to shutdown the internet and build firewalls.

On Feb 10, 2021, the Chinese Enterprises Chamber in Myanmar claimed that the delivery only contained, but protestors were still skeptical. The nationwide internet shutdown on Feb 14 further escalated the protestors’ anti-China stance.

Netizens once again suspected China’s intervention based on the screenshot circulating on social media which showed the arrival of 6 flights from Kunming, China to Yangon. It was reported that the related posts were shared at least 3500 times, and the hashtag #ShameOnYouChina was used more than 1,500 times in just 6 hours after the internet was resumed.

Source: Stand News #Feb15

Read more about the #OpenLetter from university students in Myanmar:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-55960284

http://www.mmtimes.com/news/myanmar-student-union-leaders-appeal-china.html

#MyanmarProtest #InternetShutdown