The Chinese government has found itself on the receiving end of a torrent of condemnation from Myanmar people over a threat it reportedly made against the ethnic Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) for fighting the regime.
The warning issued by the Ruili Town Security Committee on Thursday told the TNLA to “immediately stop fighting and cooperate with China in maintaining peace and stability in northern Shan State and along the China-Myanmar border or face more deterrent and disciplinary actions.”
Despite arguments over the authenticity of the warning, the TNLA confirmed that it had received the warning in the form of a letter.
When asked by AFP about the letter during a press conference in Beijing, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson replied, “China is closely following the situation in Myanmar and the developments of the conflict in northern Myanmar, and has been working to promote peace talks and ceasefire.
“China will continue to play a constructive role for Myanmar’s peace and reconciliation process and promote the de-escalation in northern Myanmar.”
Since the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar shared the ministry’s reply on its Facebook on Saturday, thousands of netizens in Myanmar have responded to the post, slamming Beijing for interfering in Myanmar’s domestic affairs while expressing their support for the TNLA.
Netizens said they understand China’s concerns over border stability and its interests in Myanmar, but added that China should not put pressure on Myanmar’s popular revolt against the regime.
The post had attracted 6.3k comments as of noon Monday, most of them criticizing China for its threat against the TNLA.
Octopus, an anti-regime group waging guerrilla warfare in Yangon, commented under the post: “We are revolutionaries. We listen to the voices of our people. The comments you see are the testimony to the voices of our people. If you listen to the voices of the people, people’s government, and ethnic forces, and stand by the side of the truth, you will gain huge benefits as a good neighbor.”
Other netizens called on China to support revolutionary forces including the civilian National Unity Government instead of the “fascist” military if it really wants to see peace and stability in Myanmar.
Some said the warning was evidence of Beijing’s meddling in Myanmar’s internal affairs despite its repeated claims that it does not do so. Many warned that in the future China would be collectively punished by the Myanmar people—such as through increased anti-China sentiment—if it turns a blind eye to their will.
The National Unity Consultative Council, the NUG’s advisory body, issued a statement on Saturday condemning China’s “impertinent threat and insult against the army of the ethnic Ta’ang people and the popular revolt”.
Prominent former 88-Generation student leader U Min Ko Naing told anti-regime media PVTV: “Those who made threats must recognize the reality. The revolutionary people are prepared to face anything. They will not surrender to the bullying of any big power. They will not allow any threat to destroy a revolution that has cost many lives and limbs, while the destination is not far.”
China issued the warning as the TNLA, one of the three members of the Brotherhood Alliance of ethnic armies, is in the midst of installing its own administrations in townships it has seized from the regime in northern Shan State during the alliance’s anti-regime offensive, known as Operation 1027.
The warning was issued after China ended a three-day live-fire drill on the Chinese border on Thursday, and followed Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Naypyitaw in mid-August.
When he held informal talks with counterparts from Myanmar, Thailand and Laos in Chiang Mai following his Naypyitaw visit, Wang insisted that three basic principles must be adhered to regarding the Myanmar “issue.” The principles he cited are: that Myanmar should not be subject to civil strife, should not be detached from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and should not be infiltrated or interfered with by external forces.
