BEIJING: In response to question regarding reports that the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) withdrew from the Lashio of Shan State earlier Tuesday and handed over control of the area to the Myanmar military, and the change of control in Lashio was reportedly facilitated by Chinese mediation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that China respects Myanmar’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In accordance with the wishes and demands of relevant parties in Myanmar, China actively assists Myanmar in advancing the peace process in northern Myanmar.
China and Myanmar are friendly neighbors, and maintaining peace and stability in northern Myanmar aligns with the common interests of both countries and peoples, said Guo.
Guo said that to implement the consensus reached during the Kunming peace talks between the Myanmar government and the MNDAA, and at the invitation of both sides, China recently dispatched a ceasefire monitoring team to Lashio, Myanmar, to oversee the ceasefire between the Myanmar military and the MNDAA, and witness the smooth handover of Lashio. Both parties involved commended and expressed gratitude for China’s constructive role in maintaining peace and stability in northern Myanmar.
In the next phase, China will continue to advance the Kunming peace talks process, promote ending of war and peace negotiations in northern Myanmar, and work with all parties in Myanmar to safeguard peace and stability along the China-Myanmar border, he said.
Earlier, At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi will visit China on April 23, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun announced Tuesday.
In response to a query about the schedule and agenda of Araghchi’s visit to China, Guo said over the 54 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Iran have enjoyed traditional friendship, mutual respect, mutual trust and mutual support. The two countries have promoted the sound and stable development of bilateral relations and contributed to regional and world peace and stability.
During the visit, the two sides will have in-depth exchanges of views on China-Iran bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern. It is believed that this visit will be of great significance for implementing the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepening political mutual trust between the two countries, promoting cooperation in various fields and jointly upholding multilateralism. –The Daily Mail-Global Times news exchange item
