The Chinese embassy in Rangoon has reportedly denied claims that China is providing pilot training to United Wa State Army (UWSA) troops. Members of other ethnic armed groups told The Irrawaddy this month that they had been told that about 30 Wa soldiers had been selected to travel to China for training, amid reports that China provided helicopters to the rebel army. Eleven Media quoted Chinese embassy information officer Lei Zhen dismissing the pilot training report as “clearly not true.” “As the Chinese government, we respect Myanmar’s sovereignty. We always support Myanmar’s peace process as a good neighboring country,” Lei Zhen said.