Myanmar conflict: Chinese mercenaries said to be fighting with rebels

Want China Times, Staff Reporter 2015-02-26

An injured Myanmar Red Cross volunteer lies on the ground after their convoy
 was attacked near the self-administered Kokang capital of Laukkai on
Feb. 17, 2015. (Photo/CFP)

Chinese mercenaries have been taking part in the armed conflict between the Myanmar government and ethnic rebel forces near the Myanmar-Chinese border, reports the Chinese-language Guancha Syndicate.

At a press conference in the Myanmar capital of Naypyidaw on Feb. 21, a Myanmar Armed Forces spokesperson said the Chinese mercenaries have been fighting for the rebel's National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) led by Pheung Kya-shin, the chief of the Kokang Special Region in northern Myanmar who only re-emerged late last year. Pheung, 84, had been laying low since the violent Kokang incident in August 2009 when he was driven out by his competitors in the army loyal to the Myanmar government.

The information was said to have been divulged by eight rebel militants captured by government forces during a deadly clash in Kokang on Feb. 9. The captives also revealed that some of the Chinese mercenaries are retired People's Liberation Army soldiers.

Zaw Htay, director of Myanmar's presidential office, said Naypyidaw believes Beijing would not interfere in Myanmar's internal political situation because China has nothing to do with the Kokang rebels' long-term struggle for autonomy and independence from the government.

Pheung is suspected, however, of having contacts at the grassroots level in China as there is evidence that members of the NDAA have received medical treatment at a Chinese hospital near the border, Htay added.

Htay also denied killing civilians in the Feb. 9 conflict as alleged, claiming that Kokang rebels had "infiltrated the town and were pretending to be civilians." Government soldiers "shoot only when there is strong evidence," he said, adding, "I would like to categorically state that these accusations are untrue."

Since the latest round of clashes began, the goverment has lost seven officers and 47 soldiers, with more than a hundred others wounded, Htay said, whereas the NDAA has lost a total of 72 people.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a Feb. 16 press briefing, "China always respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar and does not allow any organization or individual to spoil China-Myanmar relations and undermine stability of the border area on the Chinese territory."

"We hope that all conflicting parties of Myanmar can exercise restraint, and prevent the situation from escalating and affecting the stability of China-Myanmar border area and the security on the Chinese side," Hua said, adding, "China is ready to continue with its constructive role in the peace process within Myanmar in accordance with the wish of the Myanmar side."