China has urged Myanmar to cooperate in maintaining stability on the shared border of the two countries after insurgents seized a strategic trading outpost from the junta forces.
According to the UN, in recent clashes between junta forces and insurgents, over 23,000 people have been forced to flee from their homes.
Overview
Assistant Chinese Foreign Minister Nong Rong said, “Myanmar is called on to cooperate with China to maintain stability along the China-Myanmar border.”
China called on #Myanmar to cooperate with China to maintain the stability of the China-Myanmar border, effectively protect the safety of Chinese citizens and property along the border, as well as strengthen the security measures to Chinese personnel, institutions and projects in… pic.twitter.com/qF3jD0FOGa
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) November 6, 2023
The minister asked Myanmar to “earnestly ensure the safety of the lives and property of Chinese border residents and take effective measures to strengthen the security of Chinese personnel.”
According to reports, one Chinese citizen was killed while several others were wounded when a shell fired by the Myanmar military crossed to the Chinese side of the border.
Nong visited the embattled country from 3-5 November and highlighted China’s hopes that Myanmar would restore stability.
During his visit, he met the Deputy PM and Foreign Minister (FM) Than Shwe and Deputy FM Lwin Oo. He mentioned that China supported all parties to handle differences and achieve reconciliation through dialogue as soon as possible.
Latest Conflict
Last week, an alliance of ethnic minority armies launched a series of surprise coordinated attacks on junta targets.
The three-brotherhood alliance, formed by ethnic minority armies in the Shan and Rakhine states, caused unrest in the northern Shan state, saying that they were seeking to defend their territory and civilians from attacks by the junta.
“We are dedicated to eradicating the oppressive military dictatorship, a shared aspiration of the entire Myanmar populace,” the alliance said.
On Friday, two military posts were seized by the insurgents. The action came two weeks after an artillery strike on a refugee camp at the border in China in the Kachin state killed 29 civilians. The junta was held responsible for the attack, but it denied the allegations.
The clashes have displaced tens of thousands of people, with Myanmar’s junta losing control of several towns on the border.
Local media outlets reported that several displaced people were forming long queues to enter China while some Chinese towns close to the point of conflict were ready to evacuate in case of an escalation.
China Calls for Ceasefire
The minority rebel groups in Myanmar seized the border town Chinshwehaw, which is a crucial channel for the $1.8 billion in annual trade between China and Myanmar and borders China’s Yunnan province.
China urges relevant parties to cease fire as soon as possible and settle differences in a peaceful way through dialogue and consultation, so as to ensure security and stability at the China-Myanmar border, China's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday, after media reported on Monday… pic.twitter.com/s6Fv4jlqSV
— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) November 1, 2023
After tensions emerged last week, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said it was closely following the conflict in the region.
On Thursday, China called for an immediate ceasefire in the region where a billion-dollar rail route is planned as a part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
At a regular press briefing, foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, “We urge parties to immediately stop the fighting, settle differences peacefully through dialogue and consultation, and avoid escalation.”