This photo taken on April 9, 2025 shows members of the police force of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) ethnic armed group patrolling in Lashio in Myanmar's northern Shan State. - AFP
YANGON: At the joint invitation of the Myanmar government and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), a ceasefire monitoring team has been dispatched to monitor the ceasefire and witness the smooth handover of Lashio, said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun.
At a regular press conference of the Chinese Foreign Ministry on April 22, Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said that the handover of Lashio was the result of China's mediation and that China had recently sent a ceasefire monitoring team to Lashio to carry out ceasefire work.
When asked whether the above-mentioned circumstances were true and whether this was a breach of China's promise not to interfere in Myanmar's affairs, he said, "China and Myanmar are traditional partners, and maintaining peace and stability in northern Myanmar is in the interests of both countries and the two peoples. China respects Myanmar's sovereignty and territorial integrity. In line with the wishes and requests of relevant organisations on Myanmar, China has been actively supporting Myanmar in promoting the peace process in northern Myanmar."
Guo Jiakun said that in order to implement the agreements reached between the Myanmar government and the MNDAA at the Kunming Peace Talks, China recently dispatched a ceasefire monitoring team to Lashio, Myanmar, at the joint invitation of the two sides. The team will monitor the ceasefire between the Myanmar military and the MNDAA and witness the smooth handover of Lashio.
In addition, Guo Jiakun explained to reporters that both sides expressed their appreciation and gratitude for China's positive role in maintaining peace and stability in northern Myanmar.
Guo Jiakun also said that in the next step, China will continue to advance the Kunming Peace Dialogue process, hold talks to stop the fighting in northern Myanmar, and work with various parties in Myanmar to maintain peace and stability on the China-Myanmar border.
Currently, since the morning of April 22, the Myanmar military has arrived in Lashio.
The armed forces of Myanmar (Tatmadaw) re-entered Lashio after the MNDAA, NSA security officials, and the Chinese ceasefire monitoring delegation met in Lashio in the previous days to discuss handing over Lashio, which had been controlled by the MNDAA, to the Tatmadaw. - Eleven Media/ANN
