NarinjaraNews, March 15, 2023

On March 15, the Federal Political Negotiation andConsultative Committee (FPNCC), which is made up of seven ethnic armed groups from the NorthernAlliance, commenced its committee meeting in Pangsang, the capital and headquarters of theUnited Wa State Army (USWA).

A delegationled by Major General Twan Mrat Naing, the commander in chief of the Arakan Army (AA), was also present at the meeting.

China’sSpecial Envoy’smeetings with key leaders in Myanmar may be aimed at finding a solution to the current crisis and establish aplan for peace.

Only then will China’s interests in Myanmar continueto work for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), according to China affairsexpert Hla Kyaw Zaw said.

Political analysts have stated that the presentcircumstances in Myanmar, as well as the growing strategic political and military connections amongalliances, are likely to be topics of discussion during the meeting.

The meeting between FPNCC committee leaders came about afterChina’s Special Envoyto Myanmar, Deng Xijun, met withthe ethnic armed leaders of the Northern Alliance and also met the Chairman of the Military Council.

U Ye Tun, a political analyst and former Pyithu Hluttawrepresentative, said to Narinjara, “ China’s Special Envoy visited Nay Pyi Taw and encouraged ethnic groupsthrough the State Administration Council (SAC) not to accept aid related to USmoves and the announcement of the NDAAlaw by the United States.”

He added “ Prior to the envoy’s arrival, the SAC also urged thegroups not to provide assistance to thePDFs and requested that the next election be held in Wa State. Maybe thecommittee members will consider and discuss these points.”

U Ye Tun also believes that it is possible that the committee leaders are currently holdinga meeting to adjust their response to address these pressures.

Following the Pangsang meeting, the leaders of the FPNCC arescheduled to travel to Kunming, China to hold talks with government officials.

The FPNCC was established in 2015 and is composed of variousnorthern ethnic armed groups, including the United Wa State Army (USWA), KachinIndependence Army (KIA), Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA), Arakan Army (AA),Ta’ang NationalLiberation Army (TNLA), MyanmarNational Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA).