Thu Sep 19 05:52:22 UTC 2024: ## Airbus Under Fire for Ties to Chinese Firm Supplying Arms to Myanmar Junta
**Paris, France** – A new report by Burmese activist groups, Justice for Myanmar and Info Birmanie, accuses European aircraft manufacturer Airbus of indirectly contributing to the ongoing violence in Myanmar by maintaining close ties with AVIC, a Chinese defense contractor supplying arms to the country’s military junta.
The report, titled “#AIRBUSTED,” alleges that Airbus has invested heavily in AVIC’s Hong Kong-listed subsidiary, AviChina, despite knowing that AVIC provides aircraft and weapons to the Myanmar military, which has been accused of committing war crimes.
The activists demand Airbus use its influence to pressure AVIC to cease its arms sales to Myanmar, arguing that the company’s actions contradict international sanctions against the junta.
Airbus, however, denies any wrongdoing, stating that its relationship with AVIC is within legal bounds and exclusively focused on civil aerospace. The company claims to have never supplied defense products to Myanmar.
Despite this, the report points to evidence that AVIC continues to supply arms to the Myanmar military, which has been responsible for the deaths of thousands of civilians since the coup in 2021.
The report’s authors have called on Airbus to sever its ties with AVIC if the Chinese firm refuses to end its business with the Myanmar military. They have also urged the French, Spanish, and German governments, which hold major shares in Airbus, to act on this issue.
Experts argue that while the report may damage Airbus’ reputation, it remains unclear whether it will have a substantial impact on the company’s operations. They suggest that the issue may not be a significant enough priority for European leaders to demand change.
This development comes as international pressure mounts on the Myanmar military junta to end its crackdown on civilians and restore democracy. The United States, Canada, Britain, and the European Union have all imposed sanctions on the junta in an effort to hold them accountable.
The situation in Myanmar continues to be dire, with millions of civilians displaced and widespread human rights abuses documented. The report highlights the complex web of international business relationships that can inadvertently contribute to conflict and human suffering.
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