Concerned over escalating tensions between the ruling Burmese military junta and ethnic ceasefire groups along the Sino-Burmese border, Chinese officials have warned Burma not to force China into taking action, sources close to the ceasefire groups said.
Among those the Chinese authorities met during the past two months, are the National Democratic Army-Kachin (NDA-K), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) better known as Kokang, United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the National Democratic Alliance Army-Eastern Shan State (NDAA-ESS) better known as Mongla.
The four groups had formed the Union of Burma Peace and Democracy Front (PDF) on November 30, 1989.
These groups were reportedly told that Beijing had been doing its best to prevent a military confrontation between the two sides and it was imperative that the ceasefire groups did not start any conflict.
The PDF members were said to have assured the Chinese that the alliance would stand firmly by its founding mottos:
- We will not shoot first
- We will never destroy the country
The Shan State Army (SSA) North, which reportedly has a liaison office inside China, refused either to confirm or deny the report. The other major group on the Sino-Burma border is the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).
The PDF's political goals include: Perpetuation of the Union, Democracy, Broadest Alliance with other groups and Peaceful Resolution of Conflicts.
"Whether or not Naypyidaw has received the same message is uncertain, by the visit of Gen Ye Myint, Director of Military Affairs Security (MAS) last week to Lashio, where he met the groups' representatives has resulted in some relaxation," said a local businessman. "He was said to have urged all groups concerned to preserve the peace that was achieved between the two sides since 1989." He quoted a ceasefire officer saying, "Nevertheless, we will maintain our vigilance."
Relations between Burma's ruling military junta and the ceasefire groups that hold sway over border areas have never been easy. They have soured further after the fall of their patron Prime Minister Gen Khin Nyunt in 2004.
