China Issues Advisory for Its Citizens to Depart Myanmar Border District
The Chinese embassy in Myanmar has called on its citizens to promptly depart from Laukkai district in northern Myanmar's Shan state due to heightened safety concerns amid ongoing skirmishes involving the ruling junta and insurgent organizations.
On Thursday, the embassy highlighted the increased danger in the Laukkai area, which continues to experience conflict between ethnic armed factions and Myanmar's military regime. The urgency for evacuation has intensified, according to a WeChat message from the embassy.
Laukkai, Shan's Kokang region's primary urban center, is now facing the most serious armed opposition to the junta since the 2021 coup. The Three Brotherhood Alliance, consisting of the Arakan Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army, is vying for control, impacting critical trade routes with China.
The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army seeks to take over Laukkai, notorious for illicit activities like gambling and scams, and is currently under a local militia's control.
Despite China facilitating a ceasefire discussion between the junta and the ethnic groups earlier in the month, fighting persists. Reports indicate the junta has conducted airstrikes in Kokang.
China maintains connections with some of the northern Myanmar factions, as well as the junta, supplying them with arms. But tensions are rising, particularly over online scams in the area victimizing Chinese nationals.
Recently, residents in Yangon protested China's support for these factions.