CNI News

19 Mar 2023

Welcoming the mediation of China to end the current conflicts in Myanmar by the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Council is a diplomatic move, Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI.

He said China has exerted influence to some extent on member EAOs of the FPNCC.

He said, "China has links with the EAOs and exerted influence on them to some extent. So, they were forced to issue such a statement when China led the peace process. However, it is not certain such an approach will work and it is still a long way. I don't know whether it is realistic or not as fighting has continued between some of them and the military. And there are political issues. What kind of peace are they going to build and what kind of union are they going to establish? What are the positions of individual members? There are so many questions. The statement is just a diplomatic move or a tactic because China wants to get involved in the process. I don't see any other motives."

Members of the FPNCC

The FPNCC is made up of the Wa State Solidarity Army, the Peace and Solidarity Committee (National Democratic Alliance Army) of Special Region 4 in Shan State (East), the Kachin Independence Army, the Shan State Progressive Party, the Myanmar National Truth and Justice Party, the Arakan Army and the Palaung State Liberation Front.

Chinese mediation might end armed conflicts in northern Myanmar but China does not have influence on organizations which are close to the West, Col Khun Okkar, an EAO leader, told the CNI.

He said, "Chinese mediation might end or reduce armed conflicts in northern Myanmar and Chinese projects like pipelines, railways and highways might be implemented. However, China does not have contacts with the NUG and the CRPH because they are under the sway of the West. So, Chinese involvement might only partly resolve issues in Myanmar."

Members of the FPNCC, the Chinese special envoy and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing

The FPNCC said in its statement that it believes that ethnic minorities in border areas would restore universal peace and build a federal union together with mainland Myanmar.

Although there are various ways and means to realize the concept, the minority ethnic groups will have to rely on the strength and capabilities of themselves eventually, the statement added.

Members of the FPNCC are EAOs active along the Sino-Myanmar border.