A Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) delegation that went to China and met with the Chinese again discussed issues such as a ceasefire, peace along the border, and the reopening of border trading posts.

The KIO delegation led by the KIO chairman General N'Ban La departed for Kunming on 8 December and, at China’s invitation, met there with Wu Ken, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

This was unlike previous meetings that the KIO had with the Chinese, when they had instead met with officials from Yunnan Province, the Chinese province that borders Myanmar.

During this meeting the Chinese side focused on peace in the border area, according to Colonel Naw Bu, spokesperson for the KIO and its armed wing, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

He said: “There were no significant new topics in the discussion. China, as usual, reiterated its call for peace along the border as soon as possible. The Chinese side also addressed the reopening of border trading posts and stressed that a ceasefire in Myanmar would be essential for achieving peace. In summary, most of the previous issues were raised once again.”

Whilst the meetings between the KIO and the Chinese were underway, the Chinese reopened the border trading posts on the border with Kachin State. But, the border posts were not fully opened and there are still restrictions on what can be brought through them.

Since 7 March 2024, the KIA has intensified its offensives against the junta and its allies in Kachin State and captured several towns including, on 29 March 2024, the capture of Lweje Town where there is a border crossing to China.

The KIA-led coalition subsequently captured all of Kachin Special Region 1 between 29 September and 21 October 2021. This is an area with large reserves of rare earth metals that covered areas of Kachin State in Waingmaw, Chipwi, and Tsawlaw, townships and the Chinese border.

Previously it was controlled by the junta-aligned Kachin Border Guard Force (BGF) led by U Zahkung Ting Ying. After the KIA captured the area, on 28 October, it abolished the designation of Kachin Special Region 1 to refer to the area.

Just before the KIO delegation departed for China, a KIA led coalition started attacking the junta-controlled Bhamo Town, the second largest town in Kachin State, on 4 December. The offensive against Bhamo Town continued during all the time the KIO delegation was meeting with the Chinese. The offensive is still ongoing.