China has slapped a strict ban on its citizens from making their way to Northern Myanmar, and you might be wondering why. Well, it all boils down to the Chinese government pointing fingers at the worsening security situation in that neck of the woods.
So, what’s the backstory? Armed clashes kicked off on October 27, 2023, when the “Three Brotherhood Alliance,” a coalition of armed ethnic groups, decided to launch coordinated attacks on military outposts in Northern Myanmar’s Shan state, which snuggles right up against China.
Mao had some things to say about it, stating, “We’re telling our Chinese folks in the region, especially in Laukkaing City, to find safer digs or hotfoot it back to China pronto. Take some safety precautions while you’re at it.”
Now, who are the players in this game? The Three Musketeers, or rather, the Three Brotherhood Alliance, includes the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and Arakan Army (AA). These three musketeers even had a powwow in China in mid-December 2023 to hash out a peace agreement for Myanmar.
Mao chimed in again, saying, “We’re still holding onto the belief that a ceasefire is the way to go. Let’s get some peace talks happening with the cool cats in Myanmar so we can sort things out in the China-Myanmar border region.”
China’s wishlist? They’re hoping everyone involved keeps their cool, takes some action to cool things down in Northern Myanmar, and sticks to peaceful strategies.
Oh, and here’s the kicker: the alliance’s shindig on October 27, 2023, left the junta scratching their heads, wondering where they put over 100 security posts and four cities, including some pretty crucial border spots with China.
The junta didn’t mince words, admitting they lost their grip on a bunch of cities along the border, like Chinshwehaw, cozying up next to Yunnan Province, China.
China’s got its own headache to deal with, what with the flood of refugees and boundary-crossing shenanigans due to the whole Myanmar conflict blowing up.
According to the UN, a whopping 18.6 million folks in Myanmar are in need of a helping hand, with about six million of them looking for some assistance because they’ve had to hit the road.
Healthcare and education services are taking a hit, and there’s some serious concern about food shortages, malnutrition, and the whole safety dance.
Back in 2017, Myanmar’s military decided to throw a party by unleashing some serious violence on the Rohingya residents in Rakhine State, and the human rights folks labeled it as a full-blown genocide.
Fast forward to the 2021 Myanmar coup, where the military decided to throw another party, this time with some brutal crackdowns against millions of their opponents.