Myanmar (TDI): A strong rescue team of eighty two members from China’s Yunnan province has landed in Myanmar via a chartered Air China flight, equipped with emergency supplies.
A 7.7/7.9 devastating earthquake hit Myanmar on Friday, followed shortly by an aftershock of 6.7 magnitude. Since then, Myanmar’s military has reported over 1000 people dead and more than 2000 are injured. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams reach more people.
The rescue team from China is equipped with detectors, earthquake early warning systems, a portable satellite and drones for disaster relief.
The tremors of the earthquake whose epicenter was in Myanmar were also felt in Bangkok, Thailand and some regions of China as well. Thailand’s capital is 1000km away from the epicenter.
The first Chinese rescue team has arrived in Myanmar with emergency supplies following the devastating 7.9-magnitude earthquake.
Hoping for safety and recovery for all affected. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/XCkkotC3AF
— Mao Ning 毛宁 (@SpoxCHN_MaoNing) March 29, 2025
Myanmar’s leader, General Min Aung Hlaing, has made a plea for help, aid, and rescue from all countries of the world. “I would like to invite any country, any organisation or anyone in Myanmar to come and help. Thank you,” he said.
In a separate statement, talking about the severity of damage, Myanmar’s military said, “Infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and buildings were affected, leading to casualties and injuries among civilians. Search and rescue operations are currently being carried out in the affected areas.”
China’s rescue team is one of the first to land in Myanmar – the otherwise isolated country with a very closed-knit military Junta rule and infighting.
China’s President, Xi Jinping, also expressed condolences on the loss of lives in Myanmar.
President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolence to Myanmar’s leader Min Aung Hlaing over the deadly earthquake in Myanmar.
China and Myanmar, as a community with a shared future, go through thick and thin together. China is ready to provide necessary assistance to Myanmar and…
— Mao Ning 毛宁 (@SpoxCHN_MaoNing) March 29, 2025
He said that China is fully ready to help Myanmar in this critical time, both with emergency aid and long-term rebuilding of infrastructure.
China shares a 2,129 km long border with Myanmar and has strategic investments within this small country, most notably under the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC).
Through political turmoil in Myanmar, China has influenced various settlements and arrangements. Among Myanmar’s other neighbors are India, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Laos.
Nuzhat Rana is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
