Myanmar sees temporary ceasefire between military junta and rebel groups after China-led peace talks
- Fierce fighting along countries’ border prompts Beijing to urge parties to show ‘maximum restraint’ after hundreds of thousands of refugees flee area
- But alliance of rebels based in northern Myanmar says it remains committed to defeating the military government
Representatives from the military government and three ethnic armed forces from Kokang, Ta’ang and Rakhine had reached agreement on a temporary ceasefire and maintaining dialogue after meeting in China, ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.
Fierce fighting in Myanmar’s northern Shan state bordering China’s Yunnan province has persisted since late October. Hundreds of thousands of refugees have fled the area since the alliance of regional insurgents launched an offensive targeting junta troops.
China has repeatedly expressed its concerns about the strife and called for the fighting to stop.
The peace talks materialised from Beijing’s mediation and facilitation, Mao said, adding there had been a significant easing of the conflict, a development that was “not only in the interests of all parties in Myanmar, but also contributes to the maintenance of tranquillity along the China-Myanmar border”.
“We hope that the relevant parties in Myanmar will hasten implementation of the agreements and consensus they have reached, exercise maximum restraint and take the initiative to de-escalate the situation on the ground,” she said.
Mao urged all sides to work together to promote a “soft landing” for the situation in northern Myanmar.
The junta on Monday said it was holding talks with the rebel groups through China’s help.
Myanmar’s junta wants China’s support. Analysts expect ‘cautious pragmatism’
But on Wednesday the Three Brotherhood Alliance, comprising the rebel groups in the three northern states, said it was still committed to defeating the military dictatorship and did not mention the talks.
The alliance is made up of the Arakan Army from Rakhine, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army from Kokang and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army from Ta’ang.
In recent weeks the rebels have claimed they have gained control of some key posts and towns along the Chinese border.
Apart from Shan state, armed insurgencies have emerged in various fronts across the country, posing the strongest threat the junta has faced since it seized power in a coup in 2021.
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The wanted individuals include Bai Suocheng, a former leader of the Kokang region.
Previously the brotherhood alliance stated that one of its objectives was to wipe out the family-run criminal syndicates it claimed were being protected by the ruling junta.
