PLA Organizes Army and Joint Air-Ground Patrols
China’s military has initiated a series of military operations in the southwestern province of Yunnan, which shares a border with Myanmar. On Monday, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) South Theater Command announced that army units, alongside joint air-ground police patrols, have been deployed to conduct border security missions. The patrols were dispatched to the cities of Ruili and Zhenkang, according to a report from the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
The military’s statement emphasized the strategic objectives of the operation, stating that the exercises are designed to “test the theatre troop’s capabilities in rapid mobility, three-dimensional containment, and joint combat” to ensure the security and stability of China’s border areas.
Response to Escalating Violence in Myanmar
The decision to reinforce border security comes in response to the ongoing violence and prolonged civil conflict in neighboring Myanmar. The situation, marked by continuous clashes between the ruling military junta and various armed ethnic minority groups, has increasingly threatened the security of China’s borders. The PLA cited the destabilizing effects of the conflict as a significant concern for China’s national security.
Previous Military Drills and Concerns Over Border Security
This is not the first time Beijing has ramped up military activities in the region. In April, the PLA conducted two live-fire drills in the same area, underscoring China’s growing unease over the deteriorating situation in Myanmar. During these drills, the Chinese military highlighted that the Myanmar conflict had “seriously threatened” the security and stability of the border region. The PLA also reiterated its commitment to taking “all necessary measures” to safeguard Chinese citizens and assets in the area.
Myanmar’s Strategic Importance to China
Myanmar plays a critical role in China’s geopolitical strategy, particularly as a potential gateway to the Indian Ocean. This access is vital for Beijing as it seeks to reduce its reliance on the narrow Strait of Malacca for oil imports. Despite China’s efforts to mediate between Myanmar’s military junta and rebel groups, progress has been limited.
In a recent meeting with Julie Bishop, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed China’s interest in seeing stability restored in Myanmar, stating, “No other country wants Myanmar to restore stability and achieve development more than China.”
