China and Myanmar vow to maintain border security as rebels claim victory in northern Shan state

China and Myanmar discussed border security in Naypyidaw as rebel groups claimed they had achieved a major victory by capturing the entire Kokang region in northern Shan state.

Myanmar’s junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing agreed to jointly maintain border security and tackle telecommunications fraud with China during a meeting with Chinese foreign vice-minister Sun Weidong, who is on a three-day visit to Myanmar, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

“The two sides will jointly maintain peace and stability on the China-Myanmar border, cooperate to combat cross-border criminal activities such as telecommunications fraud, and jointly promote regional peace, tranquillity, development and prosperity,” a statement from the ministry said.

Sun’s three-day visit to Myanmar, which will conclude on Saturday, came as the Three Brotherhood Alliance – an alliance of three armed ethnic groups that have been fighting the junta since October 27 – claimed it had fully captured the Kokang region in northern Shan state after seizing the regional capital of Laukkai, according to The Kokang, a media outlet affiliated with the alliance.