Troops Fire On Protestors In Myanmar-RTRS

Reuters and social media reporting that security forces in the city of Mandalay in Myanmar have opened fire on protestors in order to force them to disperse.

• Myanmar has experienced major protests in the wake of a military coup on 1 February that saw the country's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi placed under house arrest.
• The escalation in violence will bring significant international attention. Western nations and organisations have already condemned the coup, and these actions could lead to a significant sanctions regime being imposed against the military gov't.
• The coup could have wide political ramifications for south east Asia. The most powerful influence in the region is China, but the relationship between China and the Burmese military is complicated at best. There are agreements between Myanmar and China for various Belt and Road investments to take place in the former. The new military gov't has already cancelled feasibility studies on some of these, raising the prospect of China withdrawing existing investment in the country.