Group that makes most profit in Spring Revolution said to be Wa
CNI News
2 May 2025
The organization that benefited the most from the Spring Revolution was the “Wa,” not the Myanmar military or other armed organizations, political commentator U Kyi Myint told CNI News.
“Wa” group would stand here or there and take whatever they could get, and would take whatever China allows, he said.
"Wa" as you known stands here or there and takes whatever he can get. It's very clever. But I can't tell if it's a Chinese plan. "Wa" gets what they want without having to fight for anything. It’s not SAC, and not even the other organizations, that are comfortable with the victories they achieved in the Spring Revolution without having to sacrifice anything, but the Wa. "Wa" will take everything it gets. It'll take whatever he gets, as long as China gives it the green light and allows it to. China will give it to because it's one of its sub-states. Wa speaks Chinese. Wa uses Chinese currency and weapons. They have very valuable minerals and Heroin. All of their products go to China." said U Kyi Myint.
The AA, the MNDAA, and the TNLA jointly launched Operation 1027 on October 27, 2023, and launched a series of town-taking battles in northern Shan State.
While seeing the UWSA and the MNDAA
The UWSA did not participate in the operation but gained control of the two towns of Hopan and Panlon.
Similarly, the UWSA also was gaining economic benefits from selling weapons and ammunition to armed groups fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw.
It can also use other revolutionary forces to protect its territory from military pressure from the Myanmar military, military and political observers point out.
Colonel Khun Okkar, chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Front (PNLO-NCA/S), which signed the NCA, told CNI News that China has been using the “Wa” indirectly since the beginning of its military operations, and that the “Wa”’s statements in Myanmar’s internal affairs could be China’s policies, so it was necessary to wait and see carefully.
"China has both political and military influence on the Myanmar border with Yunnan, and China has been using the “Wa” more indirectly than directly since these has operations. So, Wa's expressions may be China's policies. Wa has become more important in Myanmar's affairs. Moreover, as they controlled Tangyang and live together, eventually they will carry out for the peaceful coexistence, I think." he said.
In September 2024, the Kokang Army (MNDAA) announced that it would not cooperate with the National Unity Government (NUG) and requested the China's brokered engagement in the Myanmar issue.
While the UWSA was taking over the security of Hopan and Panlong
Then, thanks to Chinese intervention, the Kokang National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) handed over the city of Lashio it had occupied on August 3, 2024 to the Myanmar Tatmadaw in April, 2025 and it was allowed to take over the Kokang Special Region (1).
There are speculations that China may have asked the United Wa State Army (UWSA) to intervene in the remaining areas of northern Shan State after the Lashio handover process.
Furthermore, military and political observers point out that since the 7-point Lashio Agreement stipulates that the “Wa” will be responsible for handling the TNLA, negotiations could take place through the “Wa.”
China will continue to push forward the Kunming Peace Talks process, and accelerate efforts to end conflicts and achieve peace in Myanmar and stabilize the China-Myanmar border, said Mr. Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on April 22, 2025.
On July 29, 2024, the UWSA announced that it would use its own strength to bring peace to Myanmar.
