China says it brokered a ceasefire between Myanmar army and an ethnic rebel group
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Myanmar’s military government and a major ethnic rebel group in the country’s northeast have signed a formal ceasefire agreement, mediator China said Monday. The ceasefire between the military and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), which seized large tracts of territory along the border with China, is the second such pact in little over a year and came into effect on Saturday. A previous pact in January last year was not honored by either side.
The new ceasefire was brokered by China in mid-January, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a daily briefing in Beijing. China is the most important foreign ally of Myanmar’s military rulers, who took power after ousting the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. The takeover led to nationwide peaceful protests that escalated into civil war.
Beijing has major geopolitical and economic interests in Myanmar and is deeply concerned about instability along their border. “We hope that all parties will maintain the momentum of ceasefire and peace talks, earnestly implement existing common understandings, take the initiative in deescalating the situation on the ground, and further negotiate and settle relevant issues through dialogue,” Mao Ning said.
She added that China stands ready to actively promote talks and provide support for the peace process in northern Myanmar. She did not disclose details and Myanmar’s military government did not immediately comment on the ceasefire. The MNDAA, which is made up of the ethnic Chinese Kokang minority, last year announced a unilateral ceasefire in its conflict with the military and called for a dialogue under Chinese auspices. The group is a member of the Three Brotherhood Alliance that launched a surprise offensive along the border with China in October 2023.
