Current:Home > InvestMyanmar’s military government says China brokered peace talks to de-escalate fighting in northeast -Capitatum
Myanmar’s military government says China brokered peace talks to de-escalate fighting in northeast
FinLogic FinLogic Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-06 09:19:25
BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s military government confirmed Monday that it has been holding talks, brokered by China, with representatives of an alliance of ethnic minority armed groups against which it is engaged in fierce combat in the country’s northeast.
Fighting has been raging in northern part of Shan state since the Arakan Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, calling themselves the Three Brotherhood Alliance, launched a coordinated offensive on Oct. 27. Their attacks have posed the greatest battlefield challenge to Myanmar’s military rulers since the army seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.
Much of the fighting is along Myanmar’s border with China, blocking cross-border trade and raising concern in Beijing. It also threatens further political destabilization of Myanmar, a strategic ally of China that is already tangled in civil war in many parts of the country.
The alliance’s offensive sparked renewed fighting nationwide on the part of both the pro-democracy Peoples Defense Force and their allies among other ethnic minority armed groups, spreading the military’s forces thin.
China is Myanmar’s biggest trading partner and maintains good relations with the ruling generals. The groups in the alliance also have good relations with China and have vowed to protect foreign investments, such as Chinese-backed projects in territory they control.
Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, the military government’s spokesperson said in a statement phoned in to state television MRTV that the dialogue between representatives of the military government’s National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee and those of the Three Brotherhood Alliance had been held in order to reach a political solution to the current armed conflict.
He said the meetings were held with the help of China and another meeting would take place soon but gave no details.
“I would like to say that based on the progress of these discussions, there will be further discussions around the end of this month,” Zaw Min Tun said.
Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a news conference in Beijing that China welcomes the “positive results” of peace talks between all parties and will continue to support them.
“We believe that the de-escalation of the situation in northern Myanmar conforms to all parties’ interests and will help maintain peace and stability of the China-Myanmar border,” Mao said.
The Associated Press received no immediate response to requests for comment from representatives of the Three Brotherhood Alliance.
The alliance has claimed widespread victories, including the seizure of more than 200 military posts and four border crossing points controlling crucial trade with China. It says hundreds of government soldiers have been killed in action.
China called for a cease-fire soon after the fighting escalated near its border, saying the warring parties should try and resolve their differences through dialogue.
One of the three groups in the alliance, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, is a military organization of the Kokang minority that is trying to oust a rival Kokang group backed by the military government from its seat of power in a key border city.
It has said that one of its goals is to rid the region of major organized criminal enterprises including cyberscam operations controlled by Chinese investors in collusion with local Myanmar warlords.
Beijing is embarrassed by the large-scale criminality and has vowed to eradicate it. Tens of thousands of people involved have been repatriated to China in recent weeks. Many had been tricked into the illegal work and then held against their will.
veryGood! (4875)
Related
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- Ex-Trump adviser Peter Navarro is released from prison and is headed to Milwaukee to address the RNC
- Scarlett Johansson’s Clay Mask Saved My Skin—Now It's on Sale for Amazon Prime Day 2024
- Immigrants power job growth, help tame inflation. But is there a downside for the economy?
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Mother of 3-year-old found dead at recycling center feared ex-husband would harm daughter
- Not having Pride Night didn’t exclude Rangers from hosting All-Star Game, Manfred says
- Former CIA official charged with being secret agent for South Korean intelligence
- Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
- Climate change is making days (a little) longer, study says
Ranking
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- Massachusetts House moves toward a vote on how to boost renewable energy
- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear endorses federal effort to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug
- US judge suspends Alaska Cook Inlet lease, pending additional environmental review
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Immigrants power job growth, help tame inflation. But is there a downside for the economy?
- Panama says migration through border with Colombia is down since President Mulino took office
- Trump sneakers, with photo from assassination attempt, on sale for $299 on Trump site
Recommendation
Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
Utility man working to restore power in Texas arrested, accused of beating another lineman
Former Mozambique finance minister on trial in US over ‘tuna bond’ scandal that spurred debt crisis
Here Are the Irresistible Hidden Gems from Amazon Prime Day & They’re up to 90% Off
Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
Pentagon leaker Jack Teixeira to face a military court-martial, Air Force says
Shooting of homeless man near RNC probed; activists say 'blood is on city's hands'
Doubts about both candidates leave many Wisconsin voters undecided: I want Jesus to come before the election