Chinese special envoy to Myanmar Deng Xijun held talks with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in China’s Tengchong, Yunnan Province, on Wednesday. The meeting with KIA vice-chairman General Gam Shawng followed China’s closure of northern Shan State border crossings in areas controlled by the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA).
Sources told The Irrawaddy that Beijing has warned the UWSA about the flow of weapons through its territory to the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).
China reportedly plans to hold separate talks with the TNLA and its Northern Alliance partners – the KIA, MNDAA, and Arakan Army.
The KIA, which is battling the regime in Kachin State and Sagaing Region, has seized Lwelgel on the Chinese border and Sadone town on the trade route between Kachin’s capital Myitkyina and the border trade town of Kanpiketi, which remains under junta control.
The MNDAA, TNLA and AA also belong to the Brotherhood Alliance, a separate military coalition that launched Operation 1027 in northern Shan State last October, seizing hundreds of junta bases and command centers, 24 battalion headquarters and around 20 towns and vital trade routes with China.
The operation was halted in northern Shan State on Jan. 10 after Beijing brokered a ceasefire between the ethnic alliance and the regime. The AA however continues to fight in Rakhine State where China has major interests including the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone and deep-sea port that will give it direct access to the Indian Ocean.
Since Operation 1027 resumed in late June, the regime has lost the capital of northern Shan State, Lashio, along with the Northeastern Command it hosted, as well as Kyaukme, Nawnghkio and Mongmit towns. It has also lost Mogoke, Singu, Thabeikkyin and Tagung towns in neighboring Mandalay Region. Fighting has now spilled into southern Shan State.
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi met with junta chief Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw on Aug. 14. Following Wang’s visit, China closed border crossings with territory controlled by the MNDAA and the Namtit crossing in UWSA-controlled territory. It also restricted the flow of goods at other border crossings.
Responding to an inquiry by The Irrawaddy, KIA spokesman Colonel Naw Bu said he had no knowledge of the meeting between Gen. Gam Shawng and the Chinese special envoy.
China has expressed concern over its investments in Myanmar, including oil and gas pipelines running from coastal Rakhine State through central Myanmar and Shan State to Yunnan Province, the Tagaung nickel mine in Mandalay Region, the Letpadaung copper mine in Sagaing Region, and other projects within the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor.
China specialist Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw stated, “I heard China had warned it would close border crossings if the fighting didn’t stop. China will continue to negotiate with all sides, using various approaches to pressure the Northern Alliance and the regime into peace talks. The Brotherhood Alliance may already recognize the potential consequences and have contingency plans in place.”
China is pushing to resume Myanmar border trade worth billions of dollars annually which has ground to a halt since Operation 1027.
KIA spokesman Naw Bu said trade through Kachin State’s Lwelgel border hub is now limited to goods bartering.
“We don’t have a checkpoint in Kanpiketi and the road is open. I don’t know the exact amount of trade, but I’ve heard it’s limited to only a few cargo trucks,” he said.
An analyst who asked for anonymity said China is pressuring ethnic armies to join peace talks by restricting the flow of food, medicines and fuel to territory they control, but might find it more difficult to persuade the regime.
“China recognizes the regime’s military is collapsing and wants to pressure both sides into peace talks. But the regime may not be willing to acknowledge its loss of the entire northern Shan State. The regime is reluctant to grant control of Lashio, Nawnghkio and Kyaukme to the MNDAA and the TNLA and it will try to reclaim those towns.”
During their meeting in Naypyitaw, Wang told Min Aung Hlaing that China opposes chaos and armed conflict in Myanmar and called on the junta boss to secure the China-Myanmar oil and gas pipelines and ensure peace and stability along the border.
On Tuesday, the Chinese military launched live-fire drills with ground and air force units along the border with Myanmar.
