China’s Special Envoy Holds Talks with Myanmar Armed Groups to Safeguard Beijing’s Interests

China’s special envoy to Myanmar, Deng Xijun, has engaged in talks with armed resistance groups and the junta in Myanmar in an effort to protect Beijing’s business interests and influence in the neighbouring country. Deng’s meetings with the most influential ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), some of which are fighting the military for control of the borderland area, aim to secure China’s economic investments amid the post-coup chaos and maintain its control over the armed groups as US engagement is expected to increase.

The EAOs, which have formed the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee, control semi- or fully autonomous enclaves in Myanmar’s northeast, bordering China’s Yunnan province. Deng has been meeting with these groups since taking on the envoy role.

Sources indicate that Deng’s discussions with the EAOs are focused on reaching a truce or ceasefire with the military and cutting off supply routes that provide arms and ammunition to smaller militias that have emerged in opposition to the junta since the coup. Notably, three of the seven EAOs Deng has been meeting with are also in conflict with the junta.

China has invested billions of dollars in energy and infrastructure projects across Myanmar, including oil and gas pipelines that span the country from Yunnan to the Bay of Bengal as part of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor. Deng’s interactions with the armed groups suggest Beijing is concerned about losing influence over the security environment along its border and conceding ground to Washington.

Despite the apprehension expressed by the resistance groups, the National Unity Government (NUG) does not object to Deng’s meetings with the rebel armies. The NUG believes that, ultimately, China’s interests will align with those groups working to restore democracy in Myanmar.