China envoy, Myanmar junta chief meet on border clashes

YANGON, Aug 09 (AFP): China's special envoy met Myanmar's junta chief for talks on "peace and stability" along their shared border, Myanmar state media reported Friday, days after ethnic rebels seized a regional military command.

Myanmar's 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 "internal peace processes in Myanmar, peace and stability measures in the border region" with China's Deng Xijun in the capital Naypyidaw on Thursday, according to the Global New Light of Myanmar.

The senior general "explained the implementation of objectives and a five-point roadmap in order to ensure peace, stability," the state-run newspaper said.

AFP has contacted China's 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's northeastern command in the town of Lashio, home to about 150,000 people.

The capture of the regional command-the first by opponents of the junta since the military's 2021 coup-has sparked rare public criticism of the top generals by its supporters.