Editor's Note

China expressed hope for a peaceful resolution to the escalating armed clashes in neighboring Myanmar on Monday between government forces and Kachin Independence Army. Clashes in northern Myanmar resulted in three bombs landing Chinese territory in late December last year.

"We hope that the Myanmar government and relevant parties can solve their dispute through peaceful dialogue in order to restore peace and stability in northern Myanmar," said Hong Lei, spokesman of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during a press conference on Monday.

Hong also said that China has undertaken necessary measures to secure its own border areas and protect Chinese nationals living in the area.

Latest News

Conflict in Myanmar continues Source: CCTV	Global Times, Jan. 14, 2013: Yunnan prepares to receive possible Kachin refugees The local government of Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, had planned four camps to receive refugees from the northern Kachin state of Myanmar if the conflict there between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Myanmar government worsens.
	Xinhua, Jan. 13, 2013: Three killed in military helicopter crash in Myanmar's northernmost area Three army men died after a military helicopter crashed in Myitkyina, Myanmar's northernmost Kachin State, on Friday evening, according to official sources Saturday.
	Global Times, Jan. 11, 2013: Myanmar conflict delays China flights Flights to Tengchong airport, Yunnan Province, were back on schedule Thursday after several to the county near the border with Myanmar were delayed on Wednesday due to air traffic control concerns over the ongoing military conflict in the neighboring country.

The Conflict

Jan. 13, 2013: Three killed in military helicopter crash in Myanmar's northernmost area Three army men died after a military helicopter crashed in Myitkyina, Myanmar's northernmost Kachin State, on Friday evening, according to official sources Saturday. Jan. 5, 2013: Myanmar govt seeks guarantee for lasting peace with KNU Myanmar President U Thein Sein met the newly-elected leadership of the ethnic Kayin National Union ( KNU) in Nay Pyi Taw Saturday to seek guarantee for lasting peace with the group. Jan. 4, 2013: Myanmar govt vows to continue peace talks with KIA despite recent air strike Myanmar government vowed to continue peace talks with the Kachin Independence Army(KIA) despite recent air strike on the ethnic armed group, a press release of the government said Friday. Jan. 4, 2013: Kachin air strikes were in ‘self-defense’ Myanmar said Friday that air strikes targeting ethnic minority rebels in the northern state of Kachin were in self-defense, vowing maximum restraint in the face of growing international concern. Jan. 3, 2013: Myanmar govt forces seize heavy weapons, ammunition from KIA: official Myanmar government forces have launched air attack on the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) transited at point -771 hill and seized heavy weapons, arms and ammunition over the past three days, official media reported Thursday.     About KIA: The KIA, formed in 1961, initially demanded independence but later opted for autonomy based on the Panglong agreement. The group first signed a cease-fire agreement with the State Law and Order Restoration Council, the then military government, in 1994. The 17-year-old cease-fire ended in June 2011 primarily for two important reasons. Click to read more>>>

 

Reactions from China

Impact:

Jan. 10, 2013:Myanmar conflict delays China flights
Flights to Tengchong airport, Yunnan Province, were back on schedule Thursday after several to the county near the border with Myanmar were delayed on Wednesday due to air traffic control concerns over the ongoing military conflict in the neighboring country.

Jan. 6, 2013:  Kachin conflict threatens border towns
The conflict between Myanmar's military and ethnic minority rebels in the state of Kachin escalated this week and is threatening the safety of residents on the Chinese side of the Sino-Myanmar border in Yingjiang and Tengchong counties, Yunnan Province.

Jan. 5, 2013: Trade between border towns reduced
Trade between the county and the bordering Myanmar town which Gong Jianrong, a vice director of the publicity department of Yingjiang county, Yunnan, values at over 100 million yuan, is no longer possible due to Myanmar roadblocks used during the conflict.
 
Stance:

Jan. 14, 2013: China urges for 'peaceful resolution' to conflict in neighboring Myanmar
"We hope that the Myanmar government and relevant parties can solve their dispute through peaceful dialogue in order to restore peace and stability in northern Myanmar," said Hong Lei, spokesman of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during a press conference on Monday.

Jan. 5, 2013: China's air force dismisses report of Myanmarese jets' intrusion
China's air force issued a statement on Saturday saying no Myanmarese jets have entered Chinese territory in response to reports that Myanmarese fighter jets had mistakenly entered China after armed conflict broke out in northern Myanmar.

Jan. 4, 2013: China urges Myanmar to maintain stability in border areas
"China has made representations to the Myanmar side, requiring them to take effective and immediate measures to avoid the repetition of similar incidents," China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said on January 4.

Comments

Media Comments:

GT Comment:  Kachin conflict requires new thinking
Leaving the Kachins on their own at this juncture of political transition will only weaken the bond and friendship of ethnic minorities' common struggle for equality of rights and autonomy.

Chinese Media Digest:  World turns attention to conflict in Myanmar
The People's Daily stated that China is happy to see the West strengthen ties with Myanmar. As a friendly neighbor, China hopes to see a stable Myanmar with a developing economy and improving society.

Chinese Media Digest: China urges Myanmar to maintain stability in border areas
China urged Myanmar to maintain stability in border regions on Friday after bombs fell in Chinese territory during the armed conflict in northern Myanmar.

Experts’ Views:

Ouyang Wei, a professor at the PLA National Defense University, was quoted by the China News Agency on Sunday as saying:

Solving Myanmar's ethnic problems requires long-term efforts. Violent means are counterproductive.

Sun Xiaoying, a researcher from the Institute of Southeast Asia Studies of the Guangxi Academy of Social Sciences, said in a Global Times (Chinese version) opinion piece published on Saturday:

In the past, the Myanmar government was determined to resolve their conflict with the Kachin Independence Army, but now due to the external instigation from Western nations, that possibility has lessened.

Sun held that the incident could serve as a wake-up call to China to strengthen security in border areas.

Renowned Phoenix TV reporter Lüqiu Luwei:

The conflict is a matter of Myanmar's domestic affairs, and a resolution depends on the government's ability to negotiate both sides.

What the Chinese government could do in the short term is to increase communication with both the Myanmar government and Chinese nationals living in border areas who have been effected by the armed conflict, as well as offer relief aid whenever possible, especially to Myanmar refugees.

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