A month after the one-year anniversary of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement in Myanmar, the fragile peace in the country was broken abruptly by the outbreak of armed clashes in Northern Myanmar on Sunday,turning the border area between Myanmar and China into a battle field. Stray bullets were seen falling into China and a growing number of Myanmese refugees are flooding into Chinese territory.
Analysts believe that this is only the beginning and there will be fiercer fights to come. A statement released by the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar noted that “the local Chinese government has taken in those who have crossed the border and sent those injured to hospitals for medical treatment” out of humanitarian considerations. China’s Defense Ministry also stated the “Chinese army is on high alert and will take the necessary measures to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and safety.”
Constant clashes in northern Myanmar have been gradually dragging Chinese border regions into crisis. Given Myanmar’s geographical position, it plays not only a crucial role in the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar economic corridor, but is also a passageway that connects Southwest China and the Indian Ocean as well as being a key point in the Beijing-led “One Belt and One Road” initiative.
That said, Myanmar’s decades-long ethnic conflicts are having a severe impact on China’s border area. Passively taking precautions against such emergencies and receiving refugees are therefore no longer the prime option. Beijing must take a more active role in contributing to Myanmar’s ethnic reconciliation in multinational efforts such as jointly working with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in mediating among all the nation’s ethnic forces.
Infuriated by growing casualties in Chinese border areas, some Chinese netizens suggest Beijing support the Kokang people, a Han Chinese group, against Myanmese government troops. An unconditional truce is the priority at this moment. It’s urgent for China to make more endeavors over the issue. That is not to say that Beijing will support certain groups in the clashes. Tough measures are necessary when China’s own interests are threatened. Yet more importantly, it has to utilize its advantages of having close ties with each side to create a convenient atmosphere for further negotiations and try to promote a stronger reconciliation as a constructive mediator in order to stabilize the region at the earliest possible moment. After that, Beijing can better show each party in Myanmar where their self-interest lies by providing assistance and help in boosting development in the country. http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1019367.shtml
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