Baoshan officials offer leniency to lure former residents back from Myanmar

The authorities in Baoshan, in Southwest China's Yunnan province, say former residents living illegally in northern Myanmar could be given more lenient penalties or even exempted from punishment if they return home by the end of the year.

Baoshan's joint office for combating and controlling new types of telecommunication and network crimes issued a notice on Sunday urging such people to return home promptly.

The notice said they should report to the public security organ where their household registration is based seven days in advance of their return and use legitimate channels for re-entry. Upon arrival, they would need to report to the police in a timely manner.

Those who voluntarily reported and returned within the specified time limit could receive lighter or reduced penalties. In cases with minor consequences and limited harm, penalties may even be discarded with, it said.

Family members of those living illegally in northern Myanmar were told to cooperate with law enforcement by conveying news of the policies and urging their timely return.

The notice also outlined punitive measures for individuals refusing to return by the deadline, including the suspension of all transactions and services associated with their residence registration, such as applying for or renewing identification documents.

The authorities will also suspend their electronic payment cards and banking and online payment accounts as well as their phone cards.

They will face strict examinations when participating in activities supported by public finance, such as joining the military, enrolling in school, or becoming civil servants.