YANGON
China has welcomed a cease-fire by ethnic rebels in Myanmar’s northeast Kokang region, saying Friday that it hopes both sides can now show restraint and stop fighting as possible.
The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) declared the cease-fire after four months of fighting against the military on Thursday, withdrawing from positions near the border with China.
The group said it had pulled back from some areas around the 111 and 113 boundary markers.
On Friday, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei called the cease-fire "in the interests of both countries."
"China supports all sides in Myanmar to solve their disputes through negotiation, realize peace and national reconciliation at an early date, and jointly maintain stability in the border areas," he said, according to state news agency Xinhua.
"To this end, in accordance with Myanmar's will, China is playing an active and constructive role in promoting the peace process in northern Myanmar, which is welcomed by the Myanmar side. China will continue to play an active role in it," he added.
China has been calling for stability in the mountainous northeast, with diplomatic relations being strained as shells landed across the border in March and May.
The Myanmar Times reported Friday that the MNDAA had decided on the cease-fire in consideration of Chinese government requests for stability.
It added that the group was also concerned that the ongoing conflict could impede the November elections, although a statement issued by the MNDAA said it would continue to defend itself against government security forces if attacked.
A source close to the MNDAA later underlined to the Times that the Chinese government had not imposed the declaration.
He made no mention of rebel casualties, however, who are reported to be being treated in a Chinese hospital, but said the group was worried about “lives and security” in Kokang and wanted elections to take place in the region.
The Kokang Special Region has been under martial law since violence erupted in early February, displacing tens of thousands of people.
At least 200 have been killed on both the government and rebel sides, according to government figures -- which fall short of the casualty count reported by independent media.
President Thein Sein had ordered the extension of a state of emergency in the region in mid-May.
The government had excluded Kokang rebels from peace talks that Thein Sein hopes will lead to a nationwide cease-fire agreement before the general election.
The Times source said that the MNDAA informed its two allies - the Ta’ang National Liberation Army and the Arakan Army - before making its cease-fire statement.
Tun Myat Naing, commander-in-chief of the Arakan Army, told the Times that it had no intention of joining the cease-fire, saying the MNDAA's cease-fire reflected the group’s “political and military ambitions."
