A report released on 16 July by the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (SAC-M), a group of international experts, states that Chinese state-owned companies are providing Myanmar’s military with the necessary weapon components, experts, and technology to produce the aerial bombs it uses extensively. According to the report titled “Factory of Death: China’s Support for the Myanmar Military’s Production of Aerial Bombs,” China South Industries Group Corporation (China South), a Chinese state-owned company, is supporting the Myanmar military in producing aerial bombs through its subsidiary, Hunan Vanguard.
This support is crucial for the operation of Defense Products Factory No. 21 (KaPaSa-21), which produces most of the aerial bombs used by the Myanmar military in attacks on civilians. The report highlights that China South’s support could implicate it in the crimes committed by the military junta, urging China and other countries to halt all support related to the Myanmar military’s weapons production and to prosecute these companies. [1]
On 4 July, 141 civil society organizations announced that the Indian government has arrested over 260 Myanmar nationals under the Foreigners Act, using data obtained from the UNHCR India. Indian authorities also repatriated 134 arrested individuals to the Myanmar military junta. Of those repatriated, 34 remain detained by the junta, and 125 are still held in foreigners’ detention centers, according to civil society organizations. [2]
India’s Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, stated on 7 July that the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) being implemented in Arakan State will be fully operational by 2027. Notably, the Indian minister did not address issues related to the security of trade routes associated with the Arakan Army (AA), which currently controls almost all of Arakan State and areas along the Kaladan River. [3]
The Indian military conducted at least three drone strikes on the headquarters of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) in the Naga area of Sagaing Region. During these attacks, three top ULFA leaders were killed and 19 members were injured. The Indian military has denied ULFA’s claim of involvement in the incident. [4]
ASEAN diplomats, in a joint statement at the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, expressed ASEAN’s support for Myanmar’s efforts to repatriate Muslim refugees seeking refuge in Bangladesh. The statement also affirmed the regional bloc’s commitment to continue supporting the voluntary return of displaced Muslims to ensure the safety of all communities in Arakan. [5]
On 11 July, the ASEAN chair, Malaysia, urged Myanmar’s military council to prioritize its peace commitments instead of holding elections, noting that the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus, which the Myanmar junta leader himself agreed to after the 2021 coup, does not include holding elections in Myanmar. [6]
The Trump administration deported eight criminals, including two Myanmar nationals, who had been imprisoned in the United States, to South Sudan on 4 July, after detaining them for several weeks at a US military base in Djibouti. South Sudan, a country severely impacted by ongoing conflict, is currently under a U.S. State Department travel advisory urging citizens to avoid travel due to the volatile situation. [7]
U.S. President Donald Trump informed the Myanmar military junta via letter that a 40% tariff will be imposed on Myanmar exports to the United States, with additional percentage increases if tariffs are evaded. Donald Trump also stated that if companies from Myanmar and other countries invest and produce goods in the United States, no taxes would be imposed. [8]
Nearly all cross-border trade activities between Arakan State and Bangladesh have ceased due to restrictions imposed by Bangladeshi authorities on border trade gates. Since early July, Bangladeshi authorities have tightened security at trade gates, seized goods imported from Arakan, and blocked goods destined for the region. [9]
On 10 July, the Australian government announced that it would provide $4 million through the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to support women and girls displaced from Myanmar. The statement said that the aid would be used in in areas such as healthcare, addressing gender-based violence, and mental health support.[10]
[1] China’s support for the Myanmar military’s production of aerial bombs, SAC-M, 16 Jul 2025
[2] India detains over 260 Myanmar nationals using UNHCR data, CSOs report, DVB, 4 Jul 2025
[3] Kaladan Project to begin operations in 2027, says Indian minister, Narinjara, 9 Jul 2025
[4] ULFA says three leaders killed in Indian military’s attack on Myanmar side, DMG, 14 Jul 2025
[5] ASEAN reaffirms support for Myanmar’s efforts to repatriate Muslims, Western News, 12 Jul 2025
[6] ASEAN says Myanmar elections not a top priority, DMG, 11 Jul 2025
[7] Eight prisoners, including two Myanmar nationals, deported from U.S. to South Sudan, DMG, 7 Jul 2025
[8] U.S. to impose 40% tariff on Myanmar exports, Western News, 8 Jul 2025
[9] Arakan-Bangladesh trade nearly halted Due to Bangladesh restrictions, DMG, 12 July 2025
[10] Australia to provide $4 million for displaced women from Myanmar, DVB, 10 Jul 2025