CNI News
25 April 2025
Negotiations may be conducted between the State Administration Council and the Chinese government to make SAC regain control of cities along the China-Myanmar trade route after the MNDAA handed over Lashio to the SAC, Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Force Party, U Htet Aung Kyaw told CNI News.
On August 3, 2024, the MNDAA attacked and captured Lashio city and the Northeastern Military Command and established an administration.
Then, under pressure from the Chinese government, the MNDAA is carrying out the process of handing over Lashio to the SAC by April 21, 2025, while China is overseeing the return of the Myanmar Tatmadaw to Lashio. China said it has dispatched a ceasefire monitoring team to Lashio to monitor the bilateral ceasefire between the Myanmar the Tatmadaw and the MNDAA.
According to China's negotiation or putting pressure, EAOs could retreat from the towns and villages along the China-Myanmar border trade route (Union Road), said U Htet Aung Kyaw.
Myanmar Tatmadaw convoys were entering Lashio
"They have carefully negotiated. In my opinion, EAOs can retreat from all the towns and villages along the Union Highway because the border trade between the two countries has been stopped for a long time. When it comes to Lashio, we can expect something more than Lashio City alone. Border trade between Myanmar and China is currently at a near standstill. No organization can capture Muse. Now the SAC has regained Lashio. But Lashio-Muse Road alone can't work for the border trade. According to China's negotiation or putting pressure, EAOs will need to retreat from the towns and villages including Theinni, Kutkai, Kyaukme and Thibaw so that the border trade can be conducted, which will be mainly discussed, I think."he said.
Even though the Myanmar Tatmadaw regains Lashio, if it can't control towns and villages including Kutkai, Theinni, Thibaw, Kyaukme and Nawnghkio along the trade route, it is impossible to start the border trade.
Chinese ceasefire monitoring team's vehicle was seen in Lashio.
So, it was necessary to watch whether the Myanmar Tatmadaw would negotiate with or fight against the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) that has controlled Kutkai, Theinni, Thibaw, Kyaukme and Nawnghkio, pointed out military analysts.
China's involvement will continue because China must build a better relationship with Myanmar to achieve cooperation, U Thein Tun Oo, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategy Studies, told CNI News.
" The abilities of the EAOs that are active near the China-Myanmar border depend on China. When China controls them, many problems will have been resolved automatically. Importantly, there are many things to be carried out cooperation between China and Myanmar. So, China needs to build a better relation with Myanmar. So, China's involvement will continue for sure." he said.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a press conference on April 21, 2025 that China, as a friend, is advising relevant parties in Myanmar to pursue political reconciliation and resume the process of political reform.
