26-11-2023 (BEIJING) China’s military has announced the commencement of “combat training activities” on its side of the border with Myanmar starting from Saturday (Nov 25), as revealed on social media. This development comes just a day after a convoy of trucks carrying goods into Myanmar was engulfed in flames, an incident referred to as an insurgent attack by Myanmar state media.
The timing of this training exercise is significant, given China’s growing concerns about security in the region. Recently, a Chinese envoy held talks with top officials in Myanmar’s capital to address border stability issues, as there have been signs of strain in their normally amicable relationship.
According to the Southern Theatre Command, one of the five regional commands of China’s People’s Liberation Army, the training aims to assess the rapid maneuverability, border sealing, and fire strike capabilities of their theatre troops. The announcement was made through the WeChat messaging app.
The provincial government of China’s Yunnan, which shares a border with Myanmar, also released a separate statement indicating that the drills would take place until Nov. 28 in the vicinity of Manghai, Manling, and Qingshuihe villages.
Myanmar’s military junta spokesman, Zaw Min Tun, confirmed that Myanmar was informed about the training exercises. He emphasized that the purpose of the drills was to “maintain stability and peace” along the border and reiterated China’s commitment to non-interference in Myanmar’s internal affairs.
Zaw Min Tun further asserted the solidity of the military ties between China and Myanmar, highlighting the friendly collaboration between the two armies in his post on state-run social media platforms.
The incident on Friday, where a fire broke out in the town of Muse, coincided with Myanmar’s military losing control of multiple towns and military outposts in the northeast and other regions. The country is currently grappling with the most extensive coordinated offensive since the military coup in 2021.
As a result of the escalating conflict, over two million individuals in Myanmar have been displaced, according to the United Nations’ estimates. The situation remains highly volatile, with both internal and external actors closely monitoring developments along the Myanmar-China border.
