Myanmar junta, ethnic armed alliance confirm China-mediated ceasefire

Myanmar’s junta and an alliance of three ethnic armed groups both confirmed on Friday that they had reached a ceasefire agreement mediated by China. “With the help of China's facilitation, there was a meeting in [the southern Chinese city of] Kunming. We have reached a ceasefire agreement,” junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun told AFP, with Tar Bhone Kyaw of the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) saying they have “agreed to reopen border trade” with China. China on Friday said it had negotiated an “immediate ceasefire” between the Myanmar military and an alliance of ethnic armed organisations following fighting that has raged across 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,” Chinese 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, which borders Myanmar, she said. Mao did not say what areas were covered by the ceasefire. Myanmar’s military is facing its biggest threat since seizing power in a 2021 coup after three ethnic armed groups—known as the Brotherhood Alliance—launched a sweeping offensive in northern Shan State on October 27 called Operation 1027. The 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 Brotherhood Alliance—made up of the TNLA, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, and the Arakan Army—said the town was now under their control. 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 that 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.

Myanmar junta, ethnic armed alliance confirm China-mediated ceasefire

China facilitated two days of talks in Kunming between the military and the Brotherhood Alliance

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