China says mediated ‘immediate ceasefire’ between Myanmar army and armed alliance

China on Friday said it had negotiated an “immediate ceasefire” between the Myanmar military and an alliance of ethnic minority armed groups, following fighting that has raged across the northern Shan state since October.

“The two sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire, to disengage military personnel and resolve relevant disputes and demands through peaceful negotiations,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.

The talks took place with the “mediation and facilitation of the Chinese side” on Wednesday and Thursday in Kunming, Yunnan Province that borders Myanmar, she said.

Mao did not say what areas were covered by the ceasefire.

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Myanmar’s military is facing its biggest threat since seizing power in a 2021 coup after three armed ethnic groups — known as the Three Brotherhood Alliance — launched a sweeping October offensive in northern Shan state.

The armed alliance claimed last week to have captured a northern town notorious for online scam operations in another blow to the junta.

Since November people have been fleeing Laukkai town, located in a district bordering China, that is run by a Myanmar military-aligned militia and notorious for gambling, prostitution and online scams run out of compounds staffed by thousands of people, many trafficked.

The alliance — made up of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Arakan Army (AA) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) — said the town was now under their control.

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Beijing also last week voiced “strong dissatisfaction” that fighting in Myanmar had caused Chinese casualties and said it would take “all necessary measures” to protect its citizens, following reports an artillery shell had exploded across the border.

“Both sides pledged not to compromise the safety of Chinese border residents and Chinese personnel in Myanmar,” Mao said Friday.

“The two sides also held consultations on other issues such as ceasefire arrangements,” she said.

“Maintaining the momentum of ceasefire and peace talks in Northern Myanmar is in line with the interests of all parties in Myanmar and also helps to maintain peace and stability at the border,” she added.

– By: © Agence France-Presse

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