Chinese officials and KIO representatives discuss border affairs

Narinjara News, 10 March 2026

A group of representatives from the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) met with Chinese officials in China during the third week of February 2026.

On 9 March, Narinjara News spoke with KIA information officer Col Naw Bu regarding the meeting, where he mentioned that Beijing delegates advised the KIO to refrain from engaging in border clashes in the meeting. They emphasized on maintaining control at the border areas.

"It's Chinese New Year, a time when we meet old friends. China has planned many important meetings in March and that is why they advised us to maintain control at the border without resorting to fighting. It's not a request, but an order," explained Naw Bu.

Moreover, they urged the KIO representatives to prioritize peace and stability in the border localities. They also suggested discussions with the military council.

"The Chinese delegation did not demand a ceasefire with the military commission. They simply suggested discussing the matter. China is not pressuring us and they recommended engaging in dialogues with the military regime," added the KIA officer.

They also inquired about the incident involving the shooting down of a plane in Myitkyina.

"When I met with Chinese officials in late February, a plane carrying civilians was shot down in Myitkyina by an unknown group. The military commission blamed the KIO for the incident. When asked if we were responsible, we denied any involvement. Such actions are not part of our policy or directives. We have never engaged in such activities before, and we will not do so in the future as well," asserted the information officer.

The meeting took place amid an escalating conflict between the junta forces and KIA fighters in Bhamo and Waingmaw townships of Kachin State, where the military personnel are conducting continuous airstrikes and shelling.

Since early March, clashes persisted between the two factions in those localities. The junta forces targeted the areas under the control of the KIA using fighter jets to bomb and shell Nampha and Ta Mai Lon localities.

Recent reports indicate that the bombings were carried out using drones also. The military is launching offensives in Bhamo, while the KIA and PDF troops are resisting. The army has used 120 mm, 81mm, and 60 mm artillery in their attacks.