'Thousands flee Burma violence' - mostly Chinese ethnic

[gpit]

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | 'Thousands flee Burma violence'

Thousands of people have fled across the Burmese border into China in recent weeks amid violence between ethnic groups and the government, reports say.

Some 10,000 people have entered China from Burma's north-eastern Shan state this month, according to Chinese media.

Hundreds of government troops are reported to have moved into the area.

The ruling junta is said to be putting pressure on the ethnic rebel groups to put their fighters under government control ahead of polls due next year.

In a statement released through the US Campaign for Burma (USCB), the rebels in Kokang said tensions in the region were "extremely high".

"With anticipation of resurgence of war, tens of thousands of ethnic people have fled," they said.

USCB said the problem had begun when government troops were deployed in the largely ethnic Chinese Kokang region of the state.

A businessman in the Yunnan town of Nansan, who gave his name as Li, said the first wave of people had arrived after 8 August, but many returned home.

But since Monday, several thousand people had been arriving every day, he told the Associated Press news agency.

Local people said the refugees were being housed in camps set up by the Chinese government.

"We haven't seen anything like this happen for about 10 years," Xie Feifei, a shop owner in the Yunnan town of Nansan, told Reuters.

But Mr Xie said the numbers were beginning to drop as, he thought, "everyone who wants to escape has already".

Burma is scheduled to hold elections in May 2010 but critics say there is little chance they will be free and fair.

Some of the rebel groups have resisted government pressure to join the government's "border guard forces", believing it to be an attempt to neutralise their influence on the elections.

 

[gpit]

Don’t know why BBC calls it “rebel”. Kokang seems a region enjoying a high degree of autonomous governance, where people (mostly Chinese ethnic) are even allowed to have their own armed forces.

From other sources, Burma junta moved in the forces, blaming drug production in the region, which seems not consistent with BBC.

 

[Sam Dhanraj]

And it seems that Fighting reportedly broke out Thursday between an ethnic militia and government security forces

Ethnic group in Myanmar said to break cease-fire

(AP) – 2 hours ago

BANGKOK — Fighting reportedly broke out Thursday between an ethnic militia and government security forces in northeastern Myanmar, breaching a two-decade cease-fire.

Several minorities living in military-ruled Myanmar's border areas have continued their long struggles for autonomy despite cease-fires with the military regime that seized power in 1988.

Fighters for the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army — representing the Kokang minority — on Thursday attacked a police post along the border with China near the town of Laogai, according to the U.S. Campaign for Burma.

The Washington-based lobbying group said several police officers were killed and the rebels temporarily occupied the post.

The Kachin News Group, an online news agency that covers the Kachin minority in northern Myanmar, also reported the attack as well as several other clashes.

Reports of the fighting could not be independently confirmed.

Tensions between the Kokang and the government have risen recently after the ethnic group defied an order to allow its guerrillas to be incorporated into a border guard force under army command.

The junta plans an election next year, the first since 1990's abortive polls, the result of which were ignored by the military when the National League for Democracy party won by a landslide. The military has been anxious to assure stability ahead of the vote.

On Wednesday, Myanmar ethnic groups and Chinese media reported that thousands of people fled into China this month after tensions flared between the Kokang and government.

Some 10,000 left the Kokang area in Myanmar's northeastern Shan state between Aug. 7 and Aug. 12 after a military confrontation, The Chongqing Evening Post reported.

The trigger for the confrontation was an Aug. 8 raid on the home of Kokang leader Peng Jiashen — also known as Phon Kyar Shin — ostensibly to look for illegal drugs.

Peng's troops in the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army began mobilizing, but were forced out of Laogai on Tuesday by government soldiers and members of a breakaway Kokang faction.

According to the U.S. Campaign for Burma, Peng issued a statement Thursday calling for talks with the government and for newly deployed troops to withdraw from the area.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

_________________________________________________

Gpit- How do you think China is planning to react to this situation ?

 

[Sam Dhanraj]

This article gives some more information of the fighting

Fighting Breaks Out in Kokang Area
By SAW YAN NAING
Thursday, August 27, 2009


Several skirmishes broke out between the Burmese army and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) on Thursday near the Kokang capital, Laogai, in northeast Shan State, as tension between Naypyidaw and the ethnic Kokang ceasefire group boiled over.

The MNDAA, led by Chairman Peng Jiasheng, was reportedly joined in a counteroffensive against the Burmese army by its military allies, National Democratic Alliance Army, also known as the Mong La group, and the United Wa State Army (UWSA).

According to sources on the Sino-Burmese border, gunfire was exchanged between the Burmese army and the ethnic ceasefire groups at three different bases near the Kokang stronghold of Laogai for several hours on Thursday.



The red circle (see arrow) located southeast of Muse on the Sino-Burmese border is the location of tension between junta and Kokang troops. (Map created by Transnational Institute)
The sources said the Kokang troops and their allies took back one base from the Burmese army. No casualties were reported.

“The clashes occurred between the Burmese troops and the Kokang Battalion 7 near Laogai,” said Aung Kyaw Zaw, a Burmese military analyst based on the Sino-Burmese border.

“As far as I know, the Kokang have taken back one of their bases,” he added.

Also on Thursday, gunfire broke out briefly in Yanlon, a town near Laogai, when a unit of MNDAA soldiers encircled a group of Burmese policemen who exchanged fire before escaping to the Chinese side of the border, according to sources on the Sino-Burmese border.

Aung Kyaw Zaw told The Irrawaddy that the Burmese police officers inadvertently shot at each other as they fled over the border.

Another source said that at least one Burmese police officer had died during the clash.

“At least seven policemen fled into China. They were later sent back to the Burmese side by Chinese police,” he said.

The skirmish came after about 1,000 soldiers of the Burmese armed forces, or Tatmadaw, seized the Kokang stronghold of Laogai without a shot being fired on Monday night.

Recent tensions had escalated leading up to the fall of Laogai with a drugs raid on the house of Peng Jiasheng, and a military build-up by the Burmese army in the area.

In recent weeks, an estimated 10,000 Kokang civilians have fled to the Chinese side of the border where they are being temporarily sheltered by Chinese authorities.

MNDAA Chairman Peng Jiasheng, who abandoned his house in Laogai before the Burmese army entered the town, reportedly fled with his troops to the base of his closest ally, the UWSA, from where he released a statement on Thursday urging the Burmese regime to withdraw all its troops from Laogai and seek a peaceful solution to the conflict, said Aung Kyaw Zaw.

But tensions still remain high between the Burmese junta and the ethnic ceasefire groups in northeastern Burma as the Tatmadaw steps up its military maneuvers in the region, he said.

Analysts have said that after if they successfully oust the MNDAA from its stronghold, the Burmese regional military commanders will likely turn their focus to the other ceasefire groups.

“After the Burmese regime has control of the Kokang situation, it will make a move on the Mong La group,” said Saeng Juen, one of the editors of the Thailand-based Shan Herald Agency for News.

Instead of armed attacks though, the Burmese regime will likely explore alternative methods to break down the ceasefire groups, including the strongest insurgent army, the UWSA, said Saeng Juen.

About 700 Chinese troops have been deployed along the Sino-Burmese border for security reasons, he added.

After the fall of Laogai, several defecting MNDAA leaders were appointed by the Burmese regime as the new Kokang leaders.

However, in his statement, Peng Jiasheng rejected the formation of a new Kokang leadership, saying the new leaders did not represent the Kokang people, said Aung Kyaw Zaw.

Meanwhile, the Burmese authorities have released an arrest warrant for Peng Jiasheng and the commanders loyal to him.

The MNDAA signed a ceasefire agreement with the Burmese military government in 1989.

 

[gpit]

...
Gpit- How do you think China is planning to react to this situation ?

The relationship between China and Burma are very close, dating back thousands of years.

In anti-Japanese war (1937-1945), tens of thousands of Chinese troops fought the Japanese with the Allies in Burma. In 60-70s, many Chinese joined Burma communist rebels, reportedly supported by China. But probably in later 80s, the communists split, and China started to work with junta regime.

Still Kokang has deep relationship with China, in terms of ethnic and business. In addition, there seems to exist agreements with Burma government.

Kokang - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kokang (Chinese: 果敢; Pinyin: Guǒgǎn) was the only Burmese Chinese feudal state in Burma. It was founded by the Yang dynasty, a Chinese military house that fled with the Ming Dynasty to Yunnan Province in the mid-1600s and later migrated to the Shan State in eastern Burma. Today it is the First Special Region of Burma and still has a mostly ethnic Han Chinese population. The Salween River passes its western side and it shares a border with China's Yunnan Province in the east. Its total land area is around 2,700 km². The capital is Laukkai (Chinese: 老街; Pinyin: Lǎoji&#275.

I guess, given existing momentum of development, China probably would like to maintain the old status quo. If the junta is aiming at next election, now I only hope that it does not miscalculate as this could profoundly affect the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

Kokang Celebrate Liberation from Burmese Communists
By WAI MOE Wednesday, March 11, 2009 http://china-defense.blogspot.com/2009/03/kokang-celebrate-liberation-from.html

Just look at the Chinese equipment, uniforms and style. And they speak Chinese.

 

[gpit]

Kokang leader Peng Jiasheng poses for a photograph with Kokang children at a local festival on February 3. (Photo: www. kokang.net)

Kokang National Democratic Alliance Army


Reportedly Kogang government headed by Chairman Peng Jiashen has been brought down. Burma junta has installed another seemingly Chinese ethnic government.

 

[Luo]

Burma's authority is crasy.
It got so high probably because of the visit from the U.S congress man.
In my opinion, the so-called "Burma" does not exist and just a loose commonwealth of several ethic local authorities. If any of them thought he's the biggest power and could eliminate those neighbours one by one and step by step. He's really miscalculating.

 

[shchinese]

it has already caused death in China's land.

it has never been a better time to test our new MBTs on those Burma generals.

 

[ANDUBYLL]

it has already caused death in China's land.

it has never been a better time to test our new MBTs on those Burma generals.

The Konang are of chinese origin, accepted. However many have integrated into Burmese society and are now a part of the landscape of Myanmar.
Why do you insist that just because there are people of Chinese origin, then the land automatically belongs to China.
China has to restain itself and not try to occupy land that historically that it was never part of.

 

[Luo]

Dear ANDUBYLL
I could see no one talking about that Burma belongs to China, except you.
We are talking about the military occupation of Burma authority and Chinese victims in the war generated by the Burma authority, which abused its millitary power, intending to cease a treaty between it and several ethic states unilaterally.

You can see from reports from different channels that thousands of refugees, most of them are Chinese, fleed into China. They fleed out of fear of the war, and genocide probably happening made them so terrified and rush into Chinese territory to seek shelter.

Your opinion that a land doesn't automatically belong to China for the residents being Chinese origin is acceptable. But how do you think about those Chinese who have to leave their land? And what's your point of view about the Burma's authority's irresponsible millitary action that killed hundreds of people including Chinese civilian living in CHINA TERRITORY and made so many people homeless, as well as left the Chinese government to deal with a humanitarian crisis which obviously has been overlooked by western media so far?

 

[gpit]

The Konang are of chinese origin, accepted. However many have integrated into Burmese society and are now a part of the landscape of Myanmar.
Why do you insist that just because there are people of Chinese origin, then the land automatically belongs to China.
China has to restain itself and not try to occupy land that historically that it was never part of.

Right. In theory this is Burma's internal affairs, but now things are not really going in right direction.

Recent report shows that a shell fell into Chinese territory from Burma. It killed one, injured many. Another report allegedly said PLA soldiers were injured by stray bullets. Now look at the refugees rushing into China...
View attachment 75504979d57cecade7d1c90df4fbc084.jpg

Thus, it seems to have evolved into an international event.

China has to restain itself and not try to occupy land that historically that it was never part of

Many parts of North Burma were part of China for various dynasty. Some parts remained Chinese upto 1949 until PM Zhou Enlai "gave" it to Burma to show friendship in 50s.

So, please read more history.

 

[gpit]

For those who understand Chinese and want to know a real Kokang and the Golden Triangle, I found a very good site:

Çë½ø£ºÄڵؾüÃÔÅóÓÑËù²»ÊìϤµÄ¡ª¡ª½ðÈý½Ç £¡£¨Ò»Ö±ÔÚ¸üУ©| ½µØ¿ñì­ - ·ÉÑï¾üÊ ÐñÈÕ³ö¶«·½£¬¾«²ÊÔÚ·ÉÑï - powered by phpwind.net

These areas are basically controlled and/or changed hands by ethnic Chinese warlords and drug dealers.

 

[ratolz]

Fresh violence near China-Myanmar border - China - World - NEWS - The Times of India



BEIJING: Stability on the China-Myanmar border was seriously threatened as fresh violence broke out in the border Kokang region of Myanmar, which

is dominated by ethnic Chinese people. Influx of refugees continued into China despite a request from Beijing asking Yangon to stabilize the situation.

The Chinese media predicted a civil war in Myanmar while quoting a rebel leader in Kokang, Pheung Kya-shin, as saying his followers had killed 30 government soldiers. It also reported that a bomb was throwing across the border from Myanmar killing one person and injuring several others on the Chinese side. The local media quoted eye witnesses to say heavy fighting was going on across the border from China.

The flow of refugees, mostly ethnic Chinese, continued from Myanmar for the third day today although the flow may have decreased. Reports incidate that nearly 30,000 refugees have crossed into Nansan County in China’s southwest province of Yunnan in a desperate bid to escape a crackdown by the local police and military.

The Chinese government, which usually backs Yangon’s military junta in its troubles with the rest of the world over the issue of human rights, was seen as taking a stern stand on this issue. It asked the Myanmar government to solve its domestic problems in order to safeguard the regional stability in areas bordering China.

“We also urge Myanmar to protect the safety and legal rights of Chinese citizens in Myanmar," Jiang Yu, the Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman said.

China's border defense troops have caught and disarmed a group of unidentified Myanmarese trying to cross the border on Saturday morning. China’s Global Times said the government has ordered the border forces to be on alert to prevent Myanmar’s conflict from spreading into China.

Two different reasons are being cited by different sources for the clashes in Kokang region, where a 20-year old truce between a local armed resistance force and the nation’s military has been breached. The local force, which is part of Kokang police, took on the military when it tried to inspect an arms factory on the suspicion that it was used as a base to store drugs.

Observers said the Myanmar military junta was trying to crush forces that refuse to fully come under its command ahead of the general elections next year. But dissidents including the armed police of Kokang do not wish to be under the command of the military.

The state-run Global Times said one of its correspondents was witness to fierce gunfire between the Kokang ethnic army and government forces. The sounds of shooting suggested that light machine guns, Tommy-guns and rifles were used in the battle, it said.

 

[pmukherjee]

Burma's authority is crasy.
It got so high probably because of the visit from the U.S congress man.
In my opinion, the so-called "Burma" does not exist and just a loose commonwealth of several ethic local authorities. If any of them thought he's the biggest power and could eliminate those neighbours one by one and step by step. He's really miscalculating.

Is n't it pretty neat?? A region of Myanmar rebels against Myanmar. China supports the rebellion on grounds of ethnicity and ,would you believe it, blames the Americans for it. Awesome my Chinese friends, just awesome.

 

[gpit]

Is n't it pretty neat?? A region of Myanmar rebels against Myanmar. China supports the rebellion on grounds of ethnicity and ,would you believe it, blames the Americans for it. Awesome my Chinese friends, just awesome.

True. Perhaps gleeful Indians may want to utilize this opportunity...

Also please allow me to correct you: Kokang is not (at lease was not before this incident) anti Burma government. SSA is.