Myanmar locals staged a protest against Airbus over its alleged links to a Chinese arms supplier selling weapons to the Burmese junta.

The protesters marched across Sai Taung Village in Kachin State, Myanmar, on October 29, to urge the aircraft manufacturer to cease investing in the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

They said the weapons AVIC sells are being used to carry out airstrikes in the country.

The protest came after a report made by Burmese activist groups revealed that Airbus was reportedly 'heavily invested' in AVIC's holding company, AviChina, which listed in British-developed Hong Kong.

The authors of the report called on Airbus to 'use its influence over AVIC and its subsidiaries to stop all transfers of military aircraft, arms, and related equipment to the Myanmar military'.

Airbus has denied the accusations, stating that its dealings with Chinese companies, including AVIC, comply with all European and international laws and regulations.

Airbus spokesman Philippe Gmerek told Voice of America news: 'Airbus has not supplied defence products to Myanmar or its armed forces. Airbus is committed to conducting its business ethically and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. This includes the delivery of defence products in accordance with export control laws and in full transparency and alignment with authorities and relevant stakeholders.'

Myanmar has fallen into civil war following the removal of democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, with a military coup in 2021.

Soldiers responded with barbaric force on protesting civilians leading to widespread condemnation and financial sanctions. Rebel groups and civilian militias around the country have since been locked in a series of ongoing clashes with the ruling military.

Aung San Suu Kyi has since been jailed for 33 years on politically motivated charges and is likely to die behind bars unless the army is toppled - a tragic end the politician hailed by Barack Obama as an 'inspirational icon of democracy'.