China says warring parties in Myanmar reach cease-fire

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - China on Friday said warring parties in conflict-hit Myanmar have reached a fresh cease-fire.

It is the second time in as many months that Beijing has claimed it brokered a cease-fire between ethnic armed groups and the junta of the Southeast Asian nation, ruled by the military since February 2021.

“Facilitated by China, representatives of the Myanmar military held peace talks with representatives of Myanmar ethnic militias” in Kunming, southwestern Yunnan province, said Mao Ning, spokeswoman for China’s Foreign Ministry.

The cease-fire talks were held for two days since Wednesday, Beijing-based daily Global Times reported.

Last month, China said the warring parties in northern Myanmar had reached a cease-fire agreement with Myanmar’s ruling junta after mediation efforts by Beijing.

The cease-fire seemed to have failed before Beijing announced a fresh attempt on Friday.

At least three ethnic armed groups, which united under the so-called Brotherhood Alliance, have been fighting the junta regime to take control in the northern parts of Myanmar since late October.

The groups are attacking junta forces, which rule the Buddhist-majority Southeast Asian nation, capturing many towns and junta outposts.

Many people have been reported killed during the attacks.

There were injuries reported across into Chinese province of Yunnan due to shelling from the Myanmar side, triggering a protest by Beijing.

“They reached a formal cease-fire agreement, and agreed to immediately cease fire to end the war, disengage military personnel, and solve relevant disputes and demands through peaceful negotiations,” Mao said.

China’s statement also comes a day after Indian Army Chief Gen. Manoj Pande on Thursday claimed some of Myanmar’s insurgent groups were attempting to enter the northeastern state of Manipur in the South Asian nation.

Pande called it a matter of “concern.”