YANGON: China鈥檚 special envoy met Myanmar鈥檚 junta chief for talks on 鈥減eace and stability鈥� along their shared border, Myanmar state media reported Friday, days after ethnic rebels seized a regional military command.
Myanmar鈥檚 northern Shan state has been the site of repeated clashes since late June after ethnic rebel groups renewed an offensive against the military along a vital trade highway to China.
Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing discussed 鈥渋nternal peace processes in Myanmar, peace and stability measures in the border region鈥� with China鈥檚 Deng Xijun in the capital Naypyidaw on Thursday, according to the Global New Light of Myanmar.
The senior general 鈥渆xplained the implementation of objectives and a five-point roadmap in order to ensure peace, stability,鈥� the state-run newspaper said.
AFP has contacted China鈥檚 embassy in Yangon for comment.
China is a major ally and arms supplier to the junta, but analysts say it also maintains ties with armed ethnic groups in Myanmar that hold territory near its border.
Last week, an alliance of ethnic rebel groups captured the military鈥檚 northeastern command in the town of Lashio, home to about 150,000 people.
The capture of the regional command 鈥� the first by opponents of the junta since the military鈥檚 2021 coup 鈥� has sparked rare public criticism of the top generals by its supporters.
On Monday, Min Aung Hlaing said the alliance was receiving weapons, including drones and short-range missiles, from 鈥渇oreign鈥� sources that he did not identify.
Dozens of civilians have been killed or wounded in the recent fighting, according to the junta and local rescue groups.
Myanmar鈥檚 borderlands are home to myriad ethnic armed groups who have battled the military since independence from Britain in 1948 for autonomy and control of lucrative resources.
Some have given shelter and training to newer 鈥淧eople鈥檚 Defense Forces鈥� that have sprung up to battle the military after its ouster of Aung San Suu Kyi鈥檚 government in a 2021 coup.