YANGON—A major Myanmar ethnic rebel group has sent a delegation to China for talks with its government, its spokesman told AFP on Monday, as Beijing looks to end fighting along its southern border.
A delegation from the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) had left on Sunday “for talks with the Chinese government” at China’s invitation, Colonel Naw Bu told AFP.
He did not give details on what the talks would be about or where they were being held.
China is the most important ally of the junta that seized power in Myanmar in 2021 but also maintains ties with several ethnic rebel groups that hold territory just over its border.
The past year has seen increased clashes between some of those groups and the junta across northern Myanmar, a vital link in Beijing’s trillion-dollar Belt and Road initiative.
KIA fighters were battling junta troops in the town of Bhamo on Monday, Naw Bu said.
“They [the Myanmar military] used a lot of airstrikes and artillery attacks to protect their bases,” he said.
The KIA, which can call on around 7,000 fighters, has been battling the military for decades for autonomy and control of local resources in Kachin state.
The state is home to huge jade mines and rare heavy earth elements, most of which are exported to China.
In recent weeks two other Myanmar rebel groups in neighboring Shan State said they were ready for China-brokered peace talks with the junta.
China has welcomed the moves, which analysts say came after Beijing pressured the groups to halt operations against the junta.
Myanmar is home to about a dozen ethnic rebel groups that have battled the military for decades for autonomy and control of lucrative resources including jade, timber and opium.
Some, including the KIA, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and Ta’ang National Liberation Army, have given shelter and training to newer People’s Defense Forces that sprang up to battle the military after it seized power in 2021.
