Myanmar junta minister heads to Beijing for security talks

File photo : Myanmar Home Affairs minister Lieutenant General Yar Pyae//EPA

Yangon, Myanmar – The Myanmar junta’s home minister has left for China for security talks with Beijing’s minister for public security, state media said Thursday.

Lieutenant-General Yar Pyae left for China on Wednesday for a “working visit to discuss law enforcement and security cooperation from 24 to 29 April” at the invitation of Wang Xiaohong, according to the Global New Light of Myanmar.

It did not give further details but ties between the junta and Beijing — a major ally and arms supplier — have frayed in recent months over the mushrooming of online scam compounds in Myanmar’s borderlands.

The compounds are staffed by citizens of China and other countries who are often trafficked and forced to work swindling their compatriots.

China repeatedly told Myanmar’s military to crack down on…