Junta thanks China for support in Myanmar peace process

10 Jan 2024

DMG Newsroom
10 January 2024, Sittwe

The regime is grateful to China for its help in Myanmar’s peace process, said junta spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun in a press release about talks between the regime and China.

“Myanmar accepts the five principles of peaceful coexistence and a community of shared future as we have always said,” said Zaw Min Tun.

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and China’s vice foreign minister Sun Weidong met in Naypyitaw on January 5, and the two focused on border stability and development, according to regime-run media.

The meeting took place after artillery shells landed on January 3 on the Chinese town of Nanshan, which borders Laukkai in Shan State, where junta troops and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army are fighting.

China has protested to Myanmar for the stray shells, which wounded five Chinese citizens. Neither the Myanmar military nor the MNDAA has claimed responsibility.

Zaw Min Tun said the regime would allow no organisation or individual on Myanmar soil that harms the interests of neighbouring countries and their people.

The deputy Chinese foreign minister expressed strong support from China for the peace process in northern Myanmar, and vowed to cooperate with the regime to restore stability in northern Shan State, according to junta media.

“The regime has approached China, and held talks with China after losing border towns. However, there was no result. And Zaw Min Tun said so to please China hoping that China would help mediate a ceasefire,” said one political analyst.

The regime has lost more than a dozen towns and hundreds of junta outposts since the Brotherhood Alliance launched an offensive known as Operation 1027 in late October.

Fighting has been raging in northern Shan State since then, despite the fact that two sides met twice in December to discuss a possible ceasefire.