China wants offensive against Myanmar regime to end, leaked document shows

Admin – October 08, 2024

 China wants armed groups in Myanmar to end their offensives against the country’s junta, a leaked document from a meeting held following the fall of the strategic town of Lashio in early August shows, revealing that the regime’s most important ally fears it may be nearing collapse.

Long a backer of successive military regimes in Myanmar, China appears to be increasingly concerned that downfall of the current junta could damage its geopolitical interests, including its access to the Indian Ocean.

In a bid to pressure the armed groups responsible for this unprecedented threat, China has blocked food and fuel supplies to areas under their control, according to the leaked 32-page document obtained by Myanmar Now.

The document details a meeting held on August 27 between Chinese officials and leaders of the United Wa State Army (UWSA), recognised as the most powerful ethnic armed group in Myanmar. During the meeting, China’s special envoy for Asian affairs, Deng Xijun, reiterated Beijing’s support for the Myanmar military and its firm stance against resistance forces opposed to its rule.

“Overall, we oppose actions that provoke civil war and unrest in Myanmar,” Deng said, asserting that the junta remains the most important political force in the country. He specifically stated that China does not recognise the control of Lashio by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the ethnic Kokang armed group that captured the town in August, and called for its withdrawal.