Chinese Special Envoy meets Junta chief
China’s new Special Envoy Deng Zijun met the Seven Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAO) of Myanmar in Yunnan, China in the last week of December 2022. He then went to Naypyidaw and met with junta chief Min Aung Hlaing. In less than a month, he visited the headquarters of the powerful EAO, including the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA). His tour was different from all previous tours. The special thing is that the Chinese consul in Mandalay was also accompanying the Chinese envoy. The Counsel did not participate in the discussions with the EAO. But Deng also clarified the reason for bringing him with him.
Big gesture from China
Deng visited the KIA headquarters in Kachin State as well as displacement camps in Laiza. His visit was followed by a report that China would provide assistance to the EAO as well as health and education for displaced citizens. The announcement was supposed to signal a new level of relations between China and the EAO on the border. Deng joined former special envoy Sun Guoxiang in urging the EAO to engage in peace talks and sign a ceasefire agreement. While Sun said he was acting according to China policy, Deng insisted that he made the request at the request of Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the Myanmar junta.
Alert China about America
China is acutely aware of possible US influences. At the same time, he is also on high alert regarding espionage attempts. It is clear that at this time more caution will be taken along with the help. He will be more careful now as tensions with Taiwan are rising. This is the reason why China has taken steps to strengthen ties with the EAO along the border and provide non-military assistance to them. Myanmarese are interested in whether China will pressure the EAO to stop fighting Myanmar’s military regime as some of them are fighting alongside opposition forces from central Myanmar.
China is also scared of India
Following the activities of the Chinese Special Envoy, the Chinese Ambassador and the Consul of Myanmar, some Chinese investment projects have come to life again. The first of these is the Letpadung Copper Mining Project. In late February, junta troops shelled and raided about eight villages near the copper mine. Shortly after junta troops were deployed on the road to the mine, 150 to 250 people believed to be Chinese employees of the Wanbao Company arrived at the copper mine in five vehicles from Moniva. Apart from the US and the West, China may also look at the steps taken by the Indian government, which is indiscriminately supporting the regime, to gain a foothold in Myanmar.