As the prospect of war with the Burmese Army looms large, the ailing Wa supremo Bao Youxiang recently chose Zhao Zhongdang, known for his proven fighting abilities, to oversee the day to day political and military affairs of the United Wa State Army (UWSA), according to sources from the Wa capital Panghsang on the Sino-Burma border.
Sources, however, did not say when the new appointment was made.
His official position in the Wa hierarchy is second Deputy Commander in Chief. The first deputy is Ta Ai Lone.
Zhao’s latest assignment means he will also take precedence over Deputy Chairman Xiao Minliang and Zhao Wenguang in political matters. “Of course, whatever he wants to do, he will still need to consult with Bao and obtain his consent first,” said a source close to the Wa leadership.
Prior to the ceasefire in 1989, he was commander of the 418th Division operating in southern Shan State. “He created a lot of trouble for Col Hsang Mon (one of Khun Sa’s commanders operating in the same area) with his swift tactics (swift attack, swift withdrawal, swift concentration, swift dispersal),” remembers Sao Yawdserk, leader of the Shan State Army (SSA) ‘South’. “The UWSA, I think, will be decisive under him.”
He was married to Naw Htay (now deceased), second daughter of Shan Nationalities Peoples Liberation Organization (SNPLO) leader Tarkeley.
“His years of experience in areas west of the Salween means he understands political and social conditions in Shan State as a whole and not just the Wa State where he comes from,” said another source.
Earlier, it was reported that Bao’s younger brother Youliang, head of the Finance Department, would be handling the day to day affairs for him.
“To most Wa officers, Zhao Zhongdang may be a better choice than Bao Youliang,” commented a source, who had for years been doing business with the Wa. “He has travelled more widely and his military experience is second to none in the present leadership.”
The other leader, indispensable to Bao Youxiang, appears to be Wei Xuegang, who is officially the Commander of the Thai border-based 171st Military Region and the de facto finance head. “When I was recently invited to one of the close door meetings,” recalled a Shan ceasefire leader, “there were only Wei and Zhao apart from Bao.”
