Myanmar conflict puts China in dilemma
- Source: Global Times
- [01:22 August 28 2009]
- Comments
As of press time yesterday, Peng's official residence remained under police control, and Myanmar government troops and the Kokang armed forces had temporarily ceased fire.
A statement issued by Kokang armed forces via the Myanmar Peace and Democracy Front (MPDF), a newly formed alliance of four ethnic groups, said the army was pressuring them to join a border-security force under the government's control ahead of Myanmar's elections planned for 2010, Reuters reported.
Comprising a majority of ethnic Han Chinese, Kokang residents have lived for centuries in northeast Myanmar. The ties to China still remain, with the yuan still circulated in the area. The area also shares the same telephone area code as bordering Yunnan.
According to a report released by earthtimes.org, citing media and resistance sources, the Myanmar Army occupies Laogai, the capital of Kokang.
“The domestic situation in Myanmar has raised concerns for people living in the border areas. That included Myanmar citizens, as well as Chinese doing business there,” Yu said.
Duan Lianshou, a Nansan resident who has been doing business in Kokang, said, “I have invested more than 1 million yuan in the area, and I wouldn't wish the tensions in Myanmar to escalate.”
The USCB said a 20-year ceasefire between Kokang armed forces and Myanmar's government now seems to be “effectively broken.”
Zhang Wei, the owner of a motorcycle shop in Nansan county, said that heavy presence by armed police forces could be seen on the streets, and gunshots could be heard coming from the Myanmar side, about 40 kilometers from his house.
“Many (people) went close to the border to take a look at what happened. I don't worry that much,” Zhang said.
Chinese analysts said the exodus of refugees has put China in a dilemma.
“It's the country's internal affair, but it also involves a large number of ethnic Chinese,” said He Shengda, vice president of the Yunnan Academy of Social Sciences. “China will not tolerate the Myanmar government chasing the refugees across the border.
“Myanmar's central government is tightening its control over its 12 special states that were formed as a result of reconciliation between the military and the central government, regaining some of the administrative power. But it won't be an easy task.
“Military regimes will always be reluctant to surrender their power, which jeopardizes the security of Myanmar.”
Myanmar's move to send military police to crack down on a gun-repair factory, suspected of being a front for drug production, sparked fear among the locals and prompted the exodus, the Economic Information Daily said.
The country is considered the world's second-largest producer of heroin after Afghanistan. Myanmar police recently seized 36 kilograms (79 pounds) of heroin and almost 3 million methamphetamine pills in a raid near the Thai border.
Qiu Wei contributed to this story
