China will continue to support Myanmar peace talks: Chinese Foreign Min.
China’s Foreign Ministry says the East Asian country will continue to support peace talks between Myanmar and Kachin rebels after the peace dialogs held in a Chinese border town.
According to a statement released by the ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying on Tuesday, China will “continue to play a constructive role for the peace talks.”
“China would like congratulate the two parties on the achievements that have been made on significant issues including cease-fire and peace talks, and hopes they will fulfill their commitments and maintain contact,” it added.
This comes after the Myanmar government held a fresh round of talks with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in the Chinese town of Ruili in a bid to end the conflict raging in the country’s far north.
According to the statement issued by a government-appointed mediator who participated in the Monday meeting, Hla Maung Shwe, “Both sides discussed in a friendly and open manner… As we have agreed on future talks, I think it was positive.”
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Reports say the two sides are set to hold another meeting in the following days.
The Kachin forces, who are seeking greater autonomy from the central government, have been engaged in fierce fighting with government troops since June 2011.
Violence erupted in Kachin state after the rebels refused to abandon a strategic base near a hydropower plant – a joint venture with a Chinese company.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged Myanmar’s authorities “to desist from any action that could endanger the lives of civilians living in the area or further intensify the conflict in the region,” UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said.
MAM/PKH
