Following the Northern Myanmar telecom fraud cases last year, a Chinese actor’s disappearance near the Myanmar-Thailand border made headlines in January. The town of Myawaddy in Myanmar has become a new focus of public attention. Reports indicate that there are more than 15 physical casinos in Myawaddy operated by Chinese actors, which are under the protection of local armed groups in exchange for a cut of the profits.

In the upcoming PPA Talk on April 30, Selina Ho, Associate Professor in International Affairs and Co-Director of the Centre on Asia and Globalisation at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, will share her insights into:  China’s Interventions in ‘Gray Special Economic Zones’ in Southeast Asia’s Borderlands. She will explain how Beijing’s approach to safeguarding border security, citizens and its international reputation vary based on the severity of threats and host-country actors’ (both state and non-state) cooperation.

Chaired by Austin Strange, Associate Professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration, this event is open to the public and the HKU community, as part of PPA’s service to it community.