China's government announced [12] Dec. 14 that it had mediated a short-term ceasefire to the conflict between the Burmese junta and armed groups of ethnic peoples in the northern regions near the Chinese border. The conflict has been escalating since the Arakan Army (AA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) launched Operation 1027 [13] in Burma's northern Shan state in late October. None of the parties to the conflict have commented on the supposed ceasefire.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that discussions between Burma's military and the three groups yielded various agreements, "including the temporary ceasefire and maintaining the momentum of dialogue." She continued:
China hopes that relevant parties in Myanmar can speed up efforts to implement what has been agreed, exercise maximum restraint, actively ease the situation on the ground, promptly manage sporadic confrontation events and together realize the soft landing of the situation in northern Myanmar.
The rebel armies have joined as a self-declared Three Brotherhood Alliance seeking control of Burma's northeast, home to the Kokang ethnic group with strong ties to China. The insurgency, targeting key border points between Burma and China, has threatened the security of military positions and border crossings vital for trade between the two countries.
China is a key ally and arms provider for Burma's junta.
From Jurist [15], Dec. 15. Used with permission.
Notes: Despite its efforts to broker a ceasefire in Shan state, China is contnuing to conduct live-fire military drills on its side of the frontier. The drills aim to ensure "that the People's Liberation Army is ready for any emergency," China's military said in a statement last month. In a report on the exercises, Myanmar Now [16] said they are indicative of an "oscillation of Beijing's stance" toward Burma.
The UN Security Council on Dec. 21, 2022 passed [17] a resolution condemning repression by the Burmese junta, and calling for the release [18] of political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi [19]. (Jurist [20]) Resolution 2669 passed by a vote of 12 in favor to none against, with three abstentions—China, India, and the Russian. (UN Press [21]) This was a shift for China and Russia, which that May had vetoed a similar resolution. (The Diplomat [22])
This November, Burma carried out its first-ever joint naval exercises with Russia, off the country's Andaman coast. Junta leader Gen. Min Aung Hlaing met with Russia's navy commander Adm. Nikolai Evmenov on board the destroyer Admiral Tributs. (Al Jazeera [23])
See our last report on the Three Brotherhood Alliance [24].
