China and Myanmar vow to maintain border security as rebels claim victory in northern Shan state

Chinese foreign vice-minister Sun Weidong meets Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing to discuss unrest and cross-border crime
Sun’s three-day trip to the Southeast Asian country comes as armed ethnic groups declare they have seized the Kokang region bordering China

Myanmar

Kawala Xie

Published: 7:25pm, 6 Jan 2024

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China and Myanmar discussed border security in Naypyidaw as rebel groups claimed they had achieved a major victory by capturing the entire Kokang region in northern Shan state.

Myanmar’s junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing agreed to jointly maintain border security and tackle telecommunications fraud with China during a meeting with Chinese foreign vice-minister Sun Weidong, who is on a three-day visit to Myanmar, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

“The two sides will jointly maintain peace and stability on the China-Myanmar border, cooperate to combat cross-border criminal activities such as telecommunications fraud, and jointly promote regional peace, tranquillity, development and prosperity,” a statement from the ministry said.

Sun’s three-day visit to Myanmar, which will conclude on Saturday, came as the Three Brotherhood Alliance – an alliance of three armed ethnic groups that have been fighting the junta since October 27 – claimed it had fully captured the Kokang region in northern Shan state after seizing the regional capital of Laukkai, according to The Kokang, a media outlet affiliated with the alliance.

Laukkai, which borders China, is notorious for online scam operations.

The Kokang said six generals and more than 2,100 soldiers in the junta’s regional command centre surrendered on Thursday.

Myanmar military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (right) greets China’s foreign vice-minister Sun Weidong in Naypyidaw, Myanmar on Friday. Photo: China Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Myanmar’s military spokesperson Zaw Min Tun confirmed with the junta-aligned Popular News Journal on Saturday that the military had relinquished control of Laukkai after considering the safety of its soldiers.

He also blamed the rebel groups for firing shells over the border with China. Earlier this week, Beijing issued strong protests over artillery shells that injured five Chinese citizens in a border town in the southwestern province of Yunnan. The junta said the rebel groups were trying to “destroy the friendship” between the two countries.

China has become increasingly concerned about the safety of its citizens and assets as the fighting in Myanmar rages on despite ongoing peace talks brokered by Beijing.

Last month, China helped broker a temporary truce between the junta and the rebel groups, which ended on December 31. The two sides held two rounds of peace talks in Kunming, the provincial capital of Yunnan, but failed to reach any deal.

Beijing calls for Myanmar ceasefire after shelling injures five in Chinese town

A third round of talks is planned for January, according to Myanmar media.

The Chinese foreign ministry said China would continue to play a “constructive role” and “provide support” for the peace process in northern Myanmar.

The two sides also agreed to continue to push forward China’s Belt and Road Initiative in the country and build the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, the statement said.

The rebel groups said one of the aims of their coordinated attacks since late October was to help crack down on online scam compounds in northern Myanmar.

Beijing has also stepped up efforts to target online scams operating in the Southeast Asian country after tens of thousands of Chinese nationals have fallen victim to the fraud rings.

Beijing is also believed to have increased pressure on the junta, which the rebel groups have accused of providing protection for crime families that run the scam syndicates in Myanmar.

The junta has transferred more than 40,000 suspects to China over the past year, including some of the most-wanted members of the families.

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