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The People’s Republic of China is keeping a close eye over the border at the ongoing civil war unfolding in Myanmar, as it sends warships and conducts border exercises.
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The PRC People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command announced it had begun conducting live fire exercises along the China-Myanmar border and sent PLA Navy ships to its southern neighbour on 28 November.
The live fire drills in south-eastern Yunnan province are reportedly being held in accordance with the annual training plan to test the mobility, border control abilities, and firepower capabilities of PLA military units in times of emergency.
The training drills closely coincide with an escalation in fighting beyond China’s 2,129-kilometre border with the Myanmar military junta government, which is embroiled in a bloody civil war with its own civilian population.
The latest round of in-fighting began in Myanmar in late October this year after a coalition of armed pro-democracy activist groups and the opposition National Unity Government launched operations in the northern state of Shan, bordering China, Thailand, and Laos.
Those groups are rallying against the current military junta government, which came to power in February 2021 after declaring a state of emergency and orchestrating a successful coup d'état under junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and army general, now-Myanmar president, Myint Swe.
At that time, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and other members of the governing National League for Democracy Party were deposed from government and arrested.
The coup officially cut short the 2008 power-sharing arrangement between the military and civilian government (stipulating a minimum 25 per cent of parliamentary seats, three ministerial portfolios and vice-presidency for the military), and returned Myanmar to total military rule which had occurred previously from 1962 to 2011.
Under the current fighting, named Operation 1027 by activists, the militia groups of Three Brotherhood Alliance, Arakan Army, and Ta’ang National Liberation Army have reportedly overrun more than 200 military outposts across the northern Shan State and several border crossings.
People’s Republic of China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said the PRC is monitoring the fighting in Myanmar and has sent the 44th Chinese naval escort taskforce on a goodwill visit as part of normal military exchange between the two countries.
“China is closely following the conflict. We call on relevant parties to cease fire as soon as possible, settle disputes in a peaceful manner through dialogue and consultation, avoid escalation of the situation, and take effective measures to ensure the security and stability of China-Myanmar border areas,” he said during a regular press conference on 28 November.
PRC officials also met with Lao military officials to deepen traditional friendship, strengthen border defence cooperation, and jointly maintain regional peace and stability at a border defence friendship exchange on 28 November.
The Australian government suspended its limited bilateral Defence Cooperation Program with Myanmar's military following the change of government in 2019.
“We condemn the use of lethal force or violence against civilians exercising their universal rights, including the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” said then-minister for foreign affairs Marise Payne at the time.
“We continue to strongly urge the Myanmar security forces to exercise restraint and refrain from violence against civilians.
“We call on the Myanmar regime to engage in dialogue. Australia will continue to play a constructive role, including in consultation with international partners, particularly ASEAN, in support of the Myanmar people.”
In addition, the Australian government clarified that an arms embargo was in place to prohibit supplying weapons to Myanmar and targeted sanctions on a number of individuals.
