China Announces "Ceasefire" Between Myanmar Authorities and Armed Groups

China announced today, Friday, that it has "facilitated an immediate ceasefire" between the ruling military group in Myanmar and an alliance of ethnic armed groups in the north of the country. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning indicated that "the two parties agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to resolve disputes and demands through peaceful negotiations," clarifying that "the talks took place with mediation and facilitation by the Chinese side" in the city of Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, which is approximately 400 kilometers from the Myanmar border. Myanmar has been engulfed in violence since the military overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.