YANGON, In response to heightened security risks posed by clashes between ethnic minority armed groups and the Myanmar junta, China’s embassy in Myanmar has issued an advisory, urging its citizens to evacuate Laukkai town, located along the shared border. The conflict, involving the “Three Brotherhood Alliance,” has been ongoing since October in Myanmar’s northern Shan state, resulting in the seizure of strategic towns and border hubs.
The alliance, consisting of ethnic minority groups, poses a significant challenge to the junta, with Laukkai town being a focal point. The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), part of the alliance, aims to recapture Laukkai, known for its association with a military-aligned militia and notorious activities such as gambling, prostitution, and online scams.
Amidst ongoing conflicts, the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar has emphasized the escalating safety risks for Chinese citizens in Laukkai district. The embassy issued a reminder for citizens to evacuate promptly due to the continuing turmoil.
While the junta claims to have mediated a temporary ceasefire through talks with ethnic armed groups earlier this month, clashes persist in various parts of Shan state. China, a key ally of the junta, maintains a complex relationship with ethnic armed groups in northern Myanmar, often navigating cultural and ethnic ties while supplying arms to the military.
The situation in the Kokang region, where Laukkai is located, has been described by China’s foreign ministry as “grim and complicated.” Analysts underscore the need for recognizing the multifaceted dynamics of the conflict, intertwined with issues of security, ethnic ties, and geopolitical complexities.
