Peace process to be implemented following NCA path: Senior General

September 5, 2017

Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing received Mr. Sun Guoxiang, Special Envoy of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in Bayintnaung Guest House, Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.

At the meeting the Senior General said that during the multi-party democracy era when peace process was started to be implemented, ethnic armed groups were invited to participate in “Our Three Main National Causes” and accept the “multi-party democracy system”. The offer was accepted by ethnic armed groups and Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) was signed after the government, Tatmadaw and ethnic armed groups discussed repeatedly. Thus the peace process will be implemented along the NCA path.

With regards to the terrorist acts in Buthidaung and Maungtaw townships in Rakhine State, the Senior General said there were 39 clashes with ARSA extremist terrorists between 1 am to 5 pm on 25 August 2017.

In Taungbazar village, a local battalion was attacked by about 500 extremist terrorists while 30 police posts were attacked by around 100 to 200 per post. It is obvious that pre-planning is involved as the simultaneous attacks were launched. Police, public servants, Tatmadaw personnel and local ethnic nationals were attacked viciously with swords, spears, hand grenades and arms, 8 bridges were destroyed with mines while villages were burnt indicating a strong proof of a terrorist attack. The attack with sticks, knives, spears, jingli (arrows shot by catapult) hand-made guns were done by young or youthful males of different ages but when the security personnel pursued the attackers, in some places, women and children were found to be used as human shields. Drug usage is suspected as the attackers use manpower to assault armed personnel with swords, spears and jingli. Security forces are using the least manpower and fire power to control the situation, said the Senior General.

H.E. Mr. Sun Guoxiang said China condemns the terrorist acts that have occured in Rakhine State, conveying Chinese government’s condolence to the members of the Tatmadaw, police and public servants who were killed in the terrorist attacks.

He continued to say that the Government of China unequivocally supports Myanmar government’s conduct on the peace process and strongly believed that Myanmar government is able to resolve the Rakhine State affairs. As a good friend and neighbour, China will stand with Myanmar for Myanmar’s benefit and will closely cooperate with it. The meeting was also attended by high ranking officers of Commander-in-Chief (army) office while H.E. Mr. Sun Guoxiang was accompanied by Ambassador of China to Myanmar H.E. Hong Liang, military attache and officials.

 Myanmar News Agency

Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar