Three Chinese Warships Collapse In Myanmar For Joint Exercise

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin during a press conference in Beijing, China on Tuesday (28/11/2023). (ANTARA/Desca Lidya Natalia)

JAKARTA - Three Chinese Navy ships arrived in Yangon, Myanmar, to take part in a joint friendly exercise with the country's military.

"On November 27, 2023, ships from the China Navy's 44th escort task force arrived in Yangon, Myanmar, for a four-day joint friendly exercise," Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a regular press conference in Beijing, China, reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, November 28.

According to Wang, the joint exercise is common for China and Myanmar.

The joint exercise was held when Myanmar junta forces were fighting against ethnic minority groups in several cities, including in areas near China's borders.

"Regarding China's position on conflict in North Myanmar, China is closely monitoring the conflict," Wang said.

"We call on the relevant parties to carry out a ceasefire as soon as possible, resolve disputes peacefully through dialogue while avoiding the escalation of the situation."

Wang also said China supports the junta and ethnic minority groups to take effective steps to ensure the security and stability of the China-Myanmar border region.

On October 27, 2023 when an armed ethnic group alliance called the "Third Brotherhood Alliance" coordinated to attack military posts in the northern state of Shan in northern Myanmar bordering China.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance consists of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and the Arakan Army (AA). The MNDAA operates in Kokang, while the TNLA operates in Tawngpeng District. Both entered Shan territory.

While the AA operates in the western Myanmar state of Rakhine, which borders Bangladesh. The "Operation 1027", which was named after 27 October, caused the junta to lose a number of cities and defense bases.

The Myanmar junta admits it has lost control of several cities on the border, including Chinshwehaw which is located next to China's Yunnan Province.

China has been bothered by the flow of evacuations and cross-border violations due to the escalation of the conflict in Myanmar.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the 2021 coup when the military toppled the government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.