China Fortifies Border with Myanmar as Civil War Rages

• Increased Military Presence: China has intensified troop deployments along its border with Myanmar due to escalating tensions between Myanmar’s military junta and ethnic armed organizations, aiming to prevent spillover effects and safeguard its interests.
• Strategic Military Exercises: The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is conducting joint airborne and ground exercises near the Sino-Burmese border to enhance quick response capabilities and maintain stability, underscoring China’s concerns over potential threats from the conflict in Myanmar.
• Diplomatic and Humanitarian Concerns: China is balancing its military actions with diplomatic efforts to restore stability in Myanmar, while also warning its citizens and companies of the risks posed by the ongoing civil war, indicating the broader regional and humanitarian implications of the conflict.

Introduction

China has recently increased the deployment of troops along its border with Myanmar due to the growing instability inside Myanmar, stemming from escalating tensions between Myanmar’s military junta and ethnic armed organizations. To mitigate these regional risks, Beijing is increasingly concerned about potential spillover effects and the safety of its investments and citizens in the area.

Background of the Conflict  

The civil war in Myanmar began after the military coup on February 1, 2021. The junta has been under pressure from a group of ethnic militias, with the Three Brotherhood Alliance advancing in northeastern Myanmar. Hostilities escalated in June 2024, despite a ceasefire mediated by China in January 2024, following a long conflict in which the ATT military lost some territories and experienced increased violence, including artillery impacts on China’s territory.

China’s Military Response  

Given these developments, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has increased armed patrols along the Sino-Burmese border, particularly in Yunnan province, including areas such as Ruili and Zhenkang. These operations include joint airborne and ground exercises aimed at enhancing the PLA’s quick response capabilities and maintaining stability in the border areas. The military has established the Southern Theatre Command, emphasizing the importance of ‘speed, blocking, encirclement, and unified attack,’ highlighting potential threats originating from the military conflict in Myanmar.  

These recent PLA exercises are not isolated acts but follow significant military drills conducted earlier to maintain border security. Previous armed exercises were held in April, and the current operations continue the strategy of live-fire exercises aimed at solidifying China’s military presence and demonstrating its formidable stance to its neighbours regarding border security.

Diplomatic Efforts and Concerns  

China’s strategy concerning Myanmar’s foreign policy can be described as a combination of military buildup and diplomatic engagement. In recent remarks, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated China’s commitment to helping restore stability in Myanmar while protecting Chinese assets and citizens in the nation. The Chinese government has closely monitored the conflict, warning that it could disrupt social order along the border, which is both strategically and economically vital.

Additionally, the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar has cautioned its citizens against engaging in or being present in conflict zones, indicating that the civil war in Myanmar directly affects Chinese citizens and companies operating in the country. The situation remains unresolved, with a clear risk of escalating military actions and a growing humanitarian catastrophe as the conflict continues.

Implications for Regional Stability

The increase in China’s military activities near the Myanmar border reflects broader developments on the international stage. Myanmar’s strategic position near the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean makes instability a potential threat to significant investments in the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor. Additionally, there is a risk of a surge in refugees seeking asylum in China, complicating an already sensitive issue.  

Conclusion  

While the situation may change, China’s strategy is likely to persist, combining the use of force with diplomatic negotiations to maintain control over its border and protect its interests in Myanmar. These developments have significant implications for regional security in Southeast Asia and will draw the international community’s attention to how these dynamics are managed between China and Myanmar.

References:

1.  China’s military to conduct armed patrols, live-fire exercises near Myanmar border-https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/chinas-military-says-it-conducted-armed-patrols-joint-police-patrols-near-china-2024-08-26/
2.  China’s military conducts armed and joint police patrols near Myanmar border-https://tribune.com.pk/story/2491208/chinas-military-conducts-armed-and-joint-police-patrols-near-myanmar-border
3.  China is conducting military patrols near the Myanmar border as civil war rages on the other side-https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/china-conducting-military-patrols-myanmar-border-civil-war-113144260
4. China’s military says it conducted armed patrols, and joint police near the China – Myanmar border-https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/chinas-military-says-it-conducted-armed-patrols-joint-police-patrols-near-china-myanmar-border/articleshow/112791614.cms

Parag Gilada