Chinese envoy meets junta foreign minister amid fresh tensions in northern Shan

By Admin 19 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
19 June 2024, Sittwe

Chinese special envoy to Myanmar Deng Xijun met junta foreign minister Than Swe on Tuesday in Naypyidaw, junta media reported.

The two reportedly discussed promoting bilateral ties and border stability, and closer cooperation in international arenas, particularly within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations.

Observers say renewed military tensions in northern Shan State and fighting in Arakan State must also have been on the agenda.

Military tensions are running high between the regime and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), one of three ethnic armed groups that form the Brotherhood Alliance. The TNLA has repeatedly accused the regime of violating a ceasefire brokered by China in January after nearly three months of Brotherhood Alliance attacks saw the regime lose large swaths of territory in northern Shan State.

The conflict zone is also expanding to Kyaukphyu Township in Arakan State since the Arakkha Army (AA), which is also a member of the Brotherhood Alliance, launched an offensive in Arakan State in November. China has significant investments in Kyaukphyu.

The TNLA said one of its members was killed and four others were wounded by a junta artillery strike on Tuesday in Nawnghkio Township. The TNLA also accused junta airstrikes and artillery attacks of inflicting civilian casualties in territory it had seized from the regime during Operation 1027, which was launched by the Brotherhood Alliance on October 27 of last year.

Military tensions are also running high in Kyaukphyu, where China is building a deep sea port and a special economic zone (SEZ), apart from oil and gas pipelines that extend through Myanmar to China's Yunnan Province. The AA and junta troops clashed in Kyaukphyu Township earlier this week.

Observers say the Chinese special envoy travelled to the Myanmar capital to pressure the regime to protect its investment and ensure stability along the border.

Deng's visit to Naypyidaw came a few days after eight officers from the Chinese Embassy flew to Maday Island in Kyaukphyu Township to inspect Chinese investments there.

The AA has seized almost the entirety of northern Arakan State and is also attacking junta positions in southern Arakan State.