China has dispatched a ceasefire monitoring team to Lashio, Myanmar, to oversee the ceasefire between the Myanmar military and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), according to Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Guo confirmed on Tuesday that the team was sent to implement the consensus reached during the Kunming peace talks between the Myanmar government and the MNDAA. He stated that the move was made at the invitation of both parties involved in the conflict.
“China and Myanmar are friendly neighbors, and maintaining peace and stability in northern Myanmar serves the common interests of both countries and their peoples,” Guo said.
Reports indicate that earlier on Tuesday, the MNDAA withdrew from Lashio in Shan State and handed over control of the area to the Myanmar military, a development attributed to Chinese mediation efforts.
Guo emphasized that in the next phase, China will continue to promote the Kunming peace talks process, work towards ending the conflict, and support peace negotiations in northern Myanmar. “We will collaborate with all parties in Myanmar to safeguard peace and stability along the China-Myanmar border,” he added.
