Border Conflict Tests China

INTRODUCTION

As fighting continues in northern Myanmar, along China's southern border, the government of Beijing is grappling with a flood of refugees, as well as questions about how Chinese authorities should respond to the conflict.

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Myanmar’s military has declared martial law and a state of emergency in the northern area of the Kokang special region, but that has not put an end to the clashes with armed ethnic rebels.

The Myanmar government says that, in addition to the Kokang fighters, Kachin and other ethnic rebel groups have joined the fight, which has already displaced tens of thousands. Many have fled into China’s Zhenkang County in southern Yunnan province, a key crossing point near where the fighting is taking place. Residents there say that, in addition to a flood of refugees, there is now a strong presence of armed forces on the Chinese side to maintain security, raising tensions.

The last round of fighting between rebels and the Myanmar army in 2009 led to the ousting of rebel leader Peng Jiasheng. Peng spent years in hiding, but now has returned and is seeking to reclaim his position as the head of the Kokang autonomous region. Peng’s return to Kokang has also put increasing pressure on the Beijing government because of the sympathies that some Chinese feel for his cause and the fact that Kokang is inhabited by ethnic Chinese.

Before the recent conflict began, Peng gave interviews to Chinese media and sent an open letter to Chinese around the world, urging them to support their brothers in Kokang. That letter, and recent photos posted online of dead Kokang in the streets, have stirred a nationalistic debate on the Internet, with some urging the Chinese government to take action. Some have even drawn comparisons to Crimea.

The Myanmar government has urged Beijing to prevent attacks from being launched from across the border. But there also are signs of support from other ethnic groups inside Myanmar, one refugee told Chinese language broadcaster Phoenix Television. The refugee said that the reason other groups are supporting the Kokang in this fight is “because we do not have ethnic equality.” He said the Myanmar government will not give them identification cards and, because of that, they will not be able to participate in the elections.

Myanmar will hold elections later this year, but many details are still being sorted out. Ethnic Kokang are not considered Burmese citizens but do have government-issued ID cards. However, a recent ruling by Myanmar’s parliament means those cards will expire at the end of March, and cardholders will be unable to vote. It is unclear if the law will be changed before the election. www.chinanationalnews.com

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