Chinese Military to Conduct Live-Fire Drills Near Myanmar Border

KUNMING, CHINA – August 26, 2024 – TheChinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) will conduct live-fire military exercises near the China-Myanmar border from August 27th to 29th, according to an announcement from the Yunnan Provincial Government. The drills are part of the PLA’s annual training schedule.

The exercises will take placein four designated areas:

Near Huyi Township, Ruili City: This area is defined by the coordinates A(N23°54′56″, E97°37′07″), B(N23°53′27″, E97°37′53″), C(N23°57′59″, E97°46′38″), and D(N23°59′13″, E97°45′55″).
Near Wanting Town, Ruili City: The coordinates for this area are A(N24°06′54″, E98°01′48″), B(N24°06′01″, E98°03′33″), C(N24°09′33″, E98°05′27″), and D(N24°10′18″, E98°03′46″).
Near Mengdui Township, Zhenkang County: This area is defined by the coordinates A(N23°54′56″, E98°42′54″), B(N23°54′56″, E98°44′41″), C(N23°52′47″, E98°44′41″), and D(N23°52′47″, E98°42′54″).
Near Mengding Town, Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County: The coordinates for this area are A(N23°32′28″, E98°48′42″), B(N23°29′05″, E98°50′18″), C(N23°29′54″, E98°52′33″), and D(N23°33′27″, E98°51′11″).

The announcement urges allvehicles and personnel entering the designated areas to comply with traffic control measures.

While the PLA has not explicitly stated the purpose of the exercises, they are likely part of routine training activities aimed at maintaining combat readiness and strengthening border security. The exercises coincide with heightened tensions in the region, particularly in Myanmar, where a militaryjunta has been in power since a coup in February 2021.

China shares a long and complex border with Myanmar, and the two countries have a history of cooperation and conflict. In recent years, China has been increasingly involved in Myanmar’s internal affairs, providing economic and military support to the junta. However, China has also expressed concerns about the ongoing violence and instability in Myanmar, and has called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

The PLA’s exercises near the border could be interpreted as a show of force, aimed at deterring any potential threats from Myanmar or other actors in the region. However,it is also possible that the exercises are simply a routine military drill, unrelated to the current situation in Myanmar.

The exercises are expected to draw attention from regional and international observers, who will be closely watching for any signs of escalation or changes in China’s posture towards Myanmar.

Background:

*The China-Myanmar border is over 2,000 kilometers long and stretches through mountainous and jungle terrain.
* The two countries have a long history of trade and cultural exchange, but their relationship has been strained in recent years due to the political instability in Myanmar.
* China is a major investor in Myanmar, and has been involved in several infrastructure projects, including the construction of pipelines and roads.
* China has also been accused of supporting the Myanmar junta, which has been criticized for human rights abuses and the suppression of dissent.

Analysis:

The PLA’s live-fire drills near the China-Myanmar borderare a significant development, and could have implications for regional security. The exercises come at a time when tensions are already high in the region, and could be seen as a signal of China’s growing military assertiveness.

It is important to note that the PLA has not explicitly stated the purpose of the exercises,and they could be simply a routine military drill. However, the timing and location of the exercises are significant, and they are likely to be interpreted by some as a show of force.

The exercises could also be seen as a way for China to exert pressure on the Myanmar junta, which has been accused of humanrights abuses and the suppression of dissent. China has expressed concerns about the ongoing violence and instability in Myanmar, and has called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. However, China has also been accused of supporting the junta, and its actions in the region will be closely watched.

Conclusion:

The PLA’slive-fire drills near the China-Myanmar border are a significant development, and could have implications for regional security. The exercises are likely to be interpreted by some as a show of force, and could be seen as a signal of China’s growing military assertiveness. However, it is also possible that the exercises aresimply a routine military drill, unrelated to the current situation in Myanmar.

The exercises are expected to draw attention from regional and international observers, who will be closely watching for any signs of escalation or changes in China’s posture towards Myanmar.

【来源】http://www.chinanews.com/gn/2024/08-26/10274732.shtml