China says it sent team to monitor ceasefire in Myanmar

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - Beijing announced on Tuesday that a team from China has been sent to monitor the ceasefire between warring factions in Myanmar.

"China recently dispatched a ceasefire monitoring team to Lashio, the capital city of the northern Shan State of Myanmar," Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a televised news conference.

Northern Myanmar has seen intense clashes between ethnic armed rebels and junta in recent months, displacing thousands of people.

The Chinese team was sent in order to oversee the ceasefire between the Myanmar military and the resistance group Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army.

In the aftermath of the March 28 earthquake, which killed over 3700 people, Myanmar’s military junta declared a unilateral three-week ceasefire, set to expire on Tuesday.

However, expectations for an extension of the ceasefire rose after Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held in-person talks with junta chief Min Aung Hlaing last week in Thailand.

Later, Anwar held a 40-minute virtual meeting with U Mahn Win Khaing Than of Myanmar’s National Unity Government – the government-in-exile – to discuss "urgent humanitarian needs and the importance of ensuring that assistance reaches those most in need."

Myanmar has been under military rule since the coup in February, 2021.

Guo said both sides “appreciate and thank China for its constructive role in safeguarding peace and stability in northern Myanmar," and emphasized that China will continue its efforts for peace talks.

“China respects Myanmar's national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he added.