China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has said it will remain on high alert and ‘further strengthen’ its patrols and control along China’s border with Myanmar after conducting a live-fire exercise in the region this week.
An article published on Thursday by the PLA Daily, the military’s official organ, said tensions had recently risen in northern Myanmar, where rebel groups have been resisting the country’s military rulers.
While the two countries have been ‘friendly’ neighbours for decades, the war in northern Myanmar ‘seriously threatens’ the security and stability of the border region and “the safety of lives and property of border residents on both sides”, it said.
“The Chinese military has always been vigilant and will further strengthen border patrol and control as well as security protection between China and Myanmar,” it said, stressing that the PLA would take “all necessary measures” to safeguard national sovereignty and the safety of its people.
Myanmar has faced ongoing resistance from rebel groups since the military took power in 2021.
China has repeatedly voiced concerns about the security of the border region during the unrest, conducting its first live-fire exercise since the November coup and this week’s drill five months later.
The latest exercise, a joint drill involving ground and air forces on Tuesday, was aimed at improving China’s ability to ‘deal with various emergencies’ on the border, the PLA said.
The article reiterated China’s call for a ceasefire in northern Myanmar, urging “relevant parties to exercise utmost restraint and continue to resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation”.
Beijing has been trying to broker talks between Myanmar’s military leaders and the Three Brothers Alliance, ethnic armed groups that launched a major offensive in northern Shan State in October last year.
Four rounds of talks have been held so far, and a ceasefire agreement was reached in the third round, but the process has not continued.
As well as security, China is also concerned that instability in northern Myanmar is disrupting trade.
Last month’s fourth round of peace talks in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, which borders Shan state, focused on resuming border trade but failed to make significant progress, according to the Irrawaddy, an independent Myanmar news organisation based in Thailand.
The Irrawaddy reported on a visit to Myanmar by Yunnan governor Wang Yubo in February. According to the report, Wang and military chief Min Aung Hlaing discussed restoring trade and the flow of goods between Myanmar and Yunnan.
According to the Yunnan government website, Wang also met Myanmar’s commerce minister during the same trip.
