By Shannon Tiezzi
Fighting between ethnic Chinese and the Myanmar government poses a thorny problem for Beijing.
Clashes between Myanmar’s army and armed rebels in the northern border region is endangering the lives of civilians in the area and causing an influx of refugees into China. The current round of fighting, which has been ongoing for nearly 10 days, has displaced tens of thousands of people, many of whom have fled across the border into China. Local Chinese governments estimate that some 30,000 refugees have poured into China. Other estimates put the number at closer to 50,000.
The fighting involves Myanmar’s army and a rebel group called the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), which controlled much of the Kokang region until 2009. Fighting flared up on February 9 when MNDAA attacked army troops. The clashes have since spread to include at least three additional rebel groups. That effectively destroyed hope for a nationwide peace deal that had been under negotiations between the Myanmar government and various ethnic groups seeking greater autonomy.
On Tuesday, Myanmar President Thein Sein declared a state of emergency in the Kokang region. He also declared martial law, giving the military executive and judicial authority in the area. According to Myanmar’s government, at least 50 soldiers have been killed in the fighting, with another 73 wounded. The Myanmar government has also reported 26 deaths the Kokang rebels.
Read the full story at The Diplomat