CN China’s PLA starts live-fire drills with Myanmar in border security test as junta-rebel clashes escalate - The rare joint exercises come amid fears of China’s border security being threatened as a coordinated offensive by northern rebel groups has the Myanmese junta facing its toughest challenge since seizing power in a military coup in 2021.

The PLA’s Southern Theatre Command has not offered details on the duration of the drills, their location or the number of troops involved. Photo: 81.cn

The Chinese military has begun live-fire drills with Myanmar in a border security move as violence escalates between the Southeast Asian country’s ruling junta and armed rebel groups.

The “real combat training”, taking place on the Chinese side of the border, aims to test the “rapid mobilising, border sealing, and fire strike [capabilities]” of the People’s Liberation Army, its Southern Theatre Command said.

“[Our] troops are always prepared to respond to various unexpected situations and are determined to safeguard [China’s] national sovereignty, border stability, and the safety of people’s lives and property,” a spokesman was quoted as saying on the command’s official WeChat social media account.

The brief post did not offer details on how long the drills would last, their exact location or the number of troops involved.

The rare joint exercises come amid fears of China’s border security being threatened as a coordinated offensive by northern rebel groups has the Myanmese junta facing its toughest challenge since seizing power in a military coup in 2021.

The last time China carried out a live-fire military exercise at the Myanmar border was in March 2017, weeks after at least 30 people were killed in an attack by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) rebel group in Laukkai, capital of the restive Kokang region in northern Shan state.

The drills also come two days after a convoy of trucks carrying goods from China went up in flames at a bilateral trade terminal in Shan, which borders China’s southwestern Yunnan province.

In a statement on Friday, the Myanmese information ministry said 120 trucks carrying household, consumer goods and building materials had been destroyed in the “terrorist act” carried out by rebel groups on Thursday morning.

Armed resistance groups including the Kokang-based MNDAA used drones to drop bombs on the non-military target, the ministry said.


Smoke rises as a convoy of trucks burns near the Myanmar-China border on Thursday. Photo: Via Reuters

The MNDAA is part of the “Three Brotherhood Alliance” in Shan state with two other rebel groups that has taken control of many places in northern Myanmar.

The ministry statement did not offer details on any casualties.

The Post has reached out to the Chinese embassy in Myanmar for comment.

China has urged Myanmar to guarantee safety and stability at the border, with the junta continuing to lose ground since the armed conflict with the rebel groups broke out on October 27.

Beijing was highly concerned about the worsening situation, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said last week, while calling for an end to the fighting as soon as possible.

Her remarks came after the Three Brotherhood Alliance hailed “significant wins” in recent weeks.

The Chinese embassy has also warned citizens against travelling to troubled areas.

Resource-rich Myanmar offers many strategic and business opportunities for China, which has pushed on with its Belt and Road Initiative there, including the development of a cross-border economic corridor, despite international sanctions on the junta. Myanmar’s unsettled domestic situation, however, has been a constant worry.

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[Scout Trooper]

China has urged Myanmar to guarantee safety and stability at the border, with the junta continuing to lose ground since the armed conflict with the rebel groups broke out on October 27.

I don't know why this is sort of a comical request to me. From all accounts the junta is getting their shit pushed in from all these groups so diverting troops to do whatever it is that "guarantee(s) safety and stability at the border" seems like a tall order.

Obviously having what is probably their most important supply line cut isn't a good thing either but I question their capacity to counter the threat right now.

 

[AnsemSoD1]

So what is the result of this going to be? What is in fucking Myanmar of all places that interests Winnie and his cabinet?

 

[Breadbassket]

So what is the result of this going to be? What is in fucking Myanmar of all places that interests Winnie and his cabinet?

China has investments there and they have a shared border. The ruling junta of Myanmar is aligned diplomatically with the Chinese as well.

From the article:

The Chinese embassy has also warned citizens against travelling to troubled areas.

Resource-rich Myanmar offers many strategic and business opportunities for China, which has pushed on with its Belt and Road Initiative there, including the development of a cross-border economic corridor, despite international sanctions on the junta. Myanmar’s unsettled domestic situation, however, has been a constant worry.

 

[Kendall Motor Oil]

I don't know why this is sort of a comical request to me. From all accounts the junta is getting their shit pushed in from all these groups so diverting troops to do whatever it is that "guarantee(s) safety and stability at the border" seems like a tall order.

Obviously having what is probably their most important supply line cut isn't a good thing either but I question their capacity to counter the threat right now.

You can make this request to give you casus belli to operate on the border.

 

[FILTH Tourist]

I don't know why this is sort of a comical request to me. From all accounts the junta is getting their shit pushed in from all these groups so diverting troops to do whatever it is that "guarantee(s) safety and stability at the border" seems like a tall order.

Obviously having what is probably their most important supply line cut isn't a good thing either but I question their capacity to counter the threat right now.

Maybe it's the polite way of saying "If attacks spill over, we will use your country to sharpen our army's teeth and turn you into another SAR."

So what is the result of this going to be? What is in fucking Myanmar of all places that interests Winnie and his cabinet?

They have a good long term relationship and they also serve as a short cut for oil shipping from Africa and the ME as ships can unload there and let their pipeline do the work instead of having to go around SEA with some uncomfortable chokepoints.