Lu Htet Naing, Narinjara News, 15 December 2024 

VOA News disclosed on December 14 that officials from the Arakan Army (AA) convened with Chinese officials in Tengchong, China, on December 1, during ongoing severe combat in Arakan State. 

An anonymous expert on China indicated that the meeting probably centered on peacebuilding efforts, ceasefire talks, and security concerns tied to Chinese projects in the area. 

The meeting's timing coincided with reports of Chinese security personnel being dispatched to Kyaukphyu, where several Chinese iprojects are situated. 

When questioned regarding the meeting, Arakan Army (AA) spokesperson U Khaing Thu Kha did not reply. 

Narinjara News contacted Myanmar political analyst U Than Soe Naing for his views on the meeting, and he offered the following perspective. 

"The AA is close to gaining control over the entirety of Arakan State. With billions of dollars in investments, especially from China, China cannot allow the Arakan State to slip from its control. They seek to comprehend the AA's position regarding these investments. That is the reason I think China engaged with the AA, which is a component of the Three Brotherhood Alliance,” he stated. 

U Than Soe Naing stated that China holds considerable interests in Arakan State and has reached a stage where it cannot move forward with the security pact with the military regime without the participation of the Arakan Army (AA). 

China appears interested in grasping the AA's perspectives on the oil pipeline, the Kyaukphyu deep-sea port, and its upcoming initiatives. In this context, we can only make educated guesses regarding the nature and status of China’s security agreement. Arakan State cannot be excluded from this situation," he stated. 

In December, China conducted private discussions with ethnic armed factions near the China-Myanmar border, and the Arakan Army (AA) was also invited for distinct negotiations. 

Reports suggest that Dr. Nyo Twan Awng headed the AA delegation; however, Narinjara News has not independently confirmed this detail. 

The AA's discussions with the Chinese government in Tengchong on December 1 were succeeded by individual meetings with the United Wa State Army (UWSA) on December 3, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) on December 8, and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) on December 11 in Kunming. 

Delegates from the military government and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) are set to convene in Kunming, China, on December 15. (Photo old file)