CNI News

1 Feb 2023

China is not in a position to mediate between parties in the Myanmar peace process, Political Observer Dr Aung Myo told the CNI.

Among the armed groups along the Myanmar-China border, some groups are influenced by China while others are pro-US groups, he added.

Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing meets Xi

He told the CNI, "It is difficult for China to mediate between parties in the Myanmar peace process because not all parties are listening to what China says. China can mediate between the government and the UWSA but this is not the case with the KIA. The TNLA may listen to China because its territory is not close to China. However, the KIA will not listen to China."

As armed conflicts have erupted in Myanmar, development of the political, economic, social, health and education sectors has been hampered.

Resolution of the Myanmar political and peace process requires mediation of the international community, Kachin Politician U Kwan Gaung Aung Kham told the CNI.

Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing meets leaders of the UWSA, the NDAA and the SSPP

He said, "During the terms of U Thein Sein and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the international community mediated between stakeholders. It also depends on whether stakeholders accept their mediation or not. All armed conflicts end through political dialogue, in which not only China but also other countries like the EU, the US, Japan, Australia and India can mediate. We need their mediation because our country has a lot of problems as there were no international witnesses when we signed the Panglong Agreement. Therefore, I think we need to resolve our issues whether they are political or military in front of the international community."

China and Myanmar share a 1,300-mile long border, where the RCSS/SSA, the KIA, the SSPP/SSA, the UWSA, the MNDAA, the NDAA and the PSLF/TNLA are active.