CNI News

28 April 2025

China could provide guarantees to the armed groups to achieve their political goals in order that armed conflicts could be resolved, Dr. Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), told CNI News.

Due to China's brokered engagement, the Kokang Army (MNDAA) has handed over the Lashio City which it had occupied on August 3, 2024 to the Myanmar Tatmadaw and it has taken control of the Kokang Special Region (1).

Then, on April 18, 21, and 22, the Myanmar Tatmadaw re-entered Lashio with military convoys and prepared to re-establish administrative mechanisms.

While seeing the Myanmar Tatmadaw convoy returning to Lashio

Dr. Aye Maung said that China is trying to end the armed conflict on the one hand, and on the other hand, it is negotiating to give the armed groups political rights.

“China does not accept any country’s interference in Myanmar’s internal affairs, and while it is moving in the direction of wanting Myanmar to remain stable and peaceful, it seems to want to address the root causes of all the current armed conflicts. Therefore, it seems that China is actively cooperating within Myanmar to end the armed conflict, and it seems that China had negotiated with the Myanmar government. Similarly, China seemed to be negotiating with the major armed groups on the Chinese border, in a way, guaranteeing their political ambitions. Similarly, the Myanmar government is likely to negotiate to ensure the political objectives of these armed groups. I think this is a path that China has pioneered." he said.

While seeing commercial vehicles

There are indications that even if the Myanmar Tatmadaw regains control of Lashio, it will still be impossible to resume trade unless it can regain control of the towns along the China-Burma trade route, such as Kutkai, Theinni, Thibaw, Kyaukme, and Naungcho.

Therefore, military observers also point out that China could remove EAOs from all towns/villages along the China-Myanmar border trade route (Union Highway) through negotiation or pressure. China is controlling both sides and sharing opportunities to achieve stability in Myanmar, Colonel Khun Okkar, chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO-NCA/S), which signed the NCA, told CNI News.

"China chooses stability over peace. Only then can it continue to implement its business and its projects. China controls everything to ensure stability kind of. Give him the rights he wants, and you take the rights you want. It's just the recognition of the self-administered zones desired by the “Wa” and Kokang. And by returning Lashio to the Myanmar Tatmadaw, it is a way of restoring dignity. The border trade route is belong to everyone." said Col. Khun Okkar.

China will continue to push forward the Kunming Peace Talks process and accelerate efforts to end conflicts and achieve peace in Myanmar, including stabilizing the China-Myanmar border, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun on April 22, 2025.