Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

Turbulences have arisen again in northern Myanmar areas bordering China. In recent days, Kokang ethnic rebels fought with government troops in fierce clashes and swarms of people from Myanmar fled into China for asylum.

Since the second half of last year, there have been tumults and instability in northern Myanmar. Although more than 10 ethnic rebel groups have sighed ceasefire agreements with the Myanmar government since 2011, some of the deals have not been well carried out.

Myanmar is entering an era full of challenges. Apart from the general election this year, the Myanmar government plans to clinch a nationwide ceasefire agreement, push forward political reforms and coordinate different opinions on amending its constitution.

The riots in northern Myanmar may well affect the government's reform efforts and increase the army's weight in Myanmar's political rivalries.

As the conflict-stricken areas lie close to Southwest China's Yunnan Province, the riots there will not only disturb security and order in China's border regions, but also pose fresh challenges to China's endeavor to develop its peripheral diplomacy and the "One Belt and One Road" initiative which refers to the Silk Road economic belt and the 21st century maritime Silk Road.

In face of the changing scenarios, China has to do more than increasing its input effectively and hence seeking common development with neighboring countries. It needs to play a constructive political role in advancing peace negotiations.

To build a peaceful and stable peripheral environment and facilitate the "One Belt and One Road" strategy, China needs to reassess the political effects of Myanmar's ethnic armed rebels and their negative influence on China's peripheral diplomacy.

China's diplomacy should focus on deepening ties with Southeast Asian countries and building up a security landscape conducive to China's interests and Asia's peace. To achieve this goal, China must attach due weight to its relations with the Myanmar government.

The ethnic insurgents in Myanmar can't be used as political chips or for strategic leverage. Even if some of them want US involvement in Myanmar's peace negotiations, we can't let them become used in this way.

Myanmar authorities have come up with several proposals to address the conflicts, including establishing border guard forces to absorb ethnic rebels.

China can put forward suggestions through certain channels and send representatives or envoys to mediate with ethnic insurgents and persuade them to talk with authorities and reach reconciliation.

China should also adopt stricter measures to manage individuals and companies involved in trade and exploitation of gems and timber in northern Myanmar.

To monitor the ceasefire process, China can enhance its cooperation with India, Thailand and other ASEAN states, come up with ceasefire proposals and dispatch supervision teams to the conflict-stricken areas.

Some ethnic minorities in India and Thailand are related to those in Myanmar and the two countries used to shelter Myanmar refugees that have suffered from clashes and conflicts. Both share common interests with China in helping Myanmar keep stable.

Located between China, India and Thailand, Myanmar is geopolitically significant to all three countries. If Myanmar can achieve ethnic reconciliation and get on track of development, it may become a hub that connects China, India and Thailand and benefit from this role.

Myanmar is well-positioned to combine India's "Look East" policy, China's southward policy included in the "One Belt and One Road" strategy and Thailand's established position as a logistics hub of Southeast Asia.

It will be a significant move if China, India and Thailand can jointly work to push forward the ethnic reconciliation in Myanmar. And in this process, a new negotiation mechanism can be set up for Asian peace and lay the foundations of the security landscape in the future.

The author is a senior editor with People's Daily. He is now stationed in Brazil. dinggang@globaltimes.com.cn. Follow him on Twitter at @dinggangchina