Nearly 1,000 Myanmar workers repatriated by China held in Mongla

By Admin 07 Aug 2026

DMG Newsroom

7 August 2026, Mongla, eastern Shan State

Around 1,000 Myanmar migrant workers repatriated by Chinese authorities after being arrested are being detained by authorities in Mongla, according to sources.

The workers were arrested by Chinese authorities and transferred through Yunnan Province to Mongla authorities in eastern Shan State during July.

A Myanmar migrant worker living in China told DMG that most of those being held in Mongla have lost contact with their families, causing growing concern among relatives.

"Mongla authorities have not issued any official statement. I heard they are separating detainees by ethnicity and handing down sentences. We have received no information about the Arakanese workers. Only a few workers from mainland Myanmar have managed to contact their families. Everyone is worried because there has been no official announcement," the worker said.

Mongla authorities have not publicly commented on the transfer of the migrant workers. DMG has sought comment from the authorities.

Migrant workers said Chinese police and immigration officials have been conducting joint operations since July, arresting Myanmar nationals, including Arakanese workers, employed in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture.

According to the workers, those arrested were handed over to Mongla authorities, but none has been released, and their whereabouts and condition remain unknown.

"A factory owner worked with the police to have my wife arrested so he would not have to pay her wages. When her husband went to the police station to complain, he was arrested as well. While they were being held at the police station, we could still contact them. Now we do not know where they have been taken, and we cannot contact them anymore," said a man whose family member is among the detainees.

Ground sources said Chinese authorities arrested about 100 more Myanmar migrant workers on August 7 and were preparing to transfer them to Mongla.

According to migrant workers, about 3,000 Myanmar nationals are working in Xishuangbanna. Amid the ongoing crackdown, many have gone into hiding and are facing increasing hardship during the rainy season.