China calls for ‘national unity’ in Myanmar as rebels gain ground near Yunnan border

Wang’s visit to Myanmar came as a Beijing-brokered ceasefire collapsed and ethnic minority rebel groups gained ground against the ruling junta in regions bordering China’s southern Yunnan province.

Maintaining ties with both the military junta and the rebels, China sent special envoy Deng Xijun to Naypyidaw last week, followed by its new ambassador Ma Jia on Monday.

Wang repeated to General Hlaing China’s long-held principle of “non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs”, saying Beijing “firmly supports Myanmar in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity”, according to the Chinese foreign ministry’s readout.

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Myanmar’s military government lost direct control over 86% of its territory after months of fighting

Myanmar’s military government lost direct control over 86% of its territory after months of fighting

“As a friendly neighbour, China is opposed to chaos and war in Myanmar, opposed to any interference by extraterritorial forces in Myanmar’s internal affairs, and opposed to any attempts to drive a wedge between China and Myanmar or to smear China’s intentions,” Wang was quoted as saying.

To facilitate an early realisation of a political reconciliation and a democratic transition, Wang said China would support a new “five-point road map”, an updated version of a peace plan previously agreed upon between the junta and the loose alliance of ethnic minority rebel groups, which had failed.