Balanced News: Thousands flee troop deployment near Chinese-run copper mine in Myanmar

More than 6,000 residents from nine villages near a Chinese-operated copper mine in northwestern Myanmar’s Sagaing region fled their homes as troops loyal to the ruling military junta entered their communities on Wednesday, locals said. The soldiers, who provide security for China’s state-owned Wanbao Co., which owns the nearby Letpadaung copper mine in Salingyi township, entered the villages situated next to the Pathein-Monywa Highway in Salingyi and adjacent Yinmarbin township at about 4 a.m., they said. In response, the junta pledged to defend the mine, seen as a key source of revenue for the military regime.