In the final week of August, Deng Xijun, China’s Special Envoy to Myanmar, held separate meetings with various northern Myanmar armed groups on the Chinese side of the China-Myanmar border, according to a source close to Chinese intelligence who spoke to the BBC.
From August 26 to 30, Deng Xijun met with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), United Wa State Army (UWSA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) in the Chinese cities of Ruili and Tengchong, located in Yunnan Province. The discussions focused on the ongoing conflicts in Myanmar’s northern regions.
When contacted by the BBC, Colonel Naw Bu, the KIA's information officer, confirmed that KIA officials met with the Chinese Special Envoy. However, he noted that the details of the discussions had not yet been disclosed to the KIA’s information department. "It is known that KIA officials met with the Chinese special representative. However, I cannot comment on the details as there has been no specific briefing," said Colonel Naw Bu.
Following these meetings, reports emerged indicating that China had frozen the bank accounts of several Chinese businessmen who had been supplying food, including rice and oil, to the TNLA. The TNLA denied any involvement in the meeting, while the UWSA has yet to respond to inquiries regarding their participation.
In a related development, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated that China’s "three inviolable principles" must be upheld in Myanmar’s affairs. Analysts suggest that Deng Xijun’s meetings with the northern revolutionary forces occurred after his separate discussions with Myanmar’s coup leader during his visit to the country.
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