China confirms new talks between Myanmar and Kachin

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman on Tuesday confirmed that the Myanmar government and the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) held a new round of peace talks in southwest China on Monday. They issued a joint statement after the talks and agreed to continue their efforts to start “real” political dialogue on the basis of mutual understanding, respect and trust, with a view to the realization of a “solid” ceasefire, according to Hua. The two sides will conduct further consultations on the areas where conflicts tend to take place, she added. Hua said China provided assistance and facilitation for the talks while respecting the two sides’ thoughts. Wang Yingfan, the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s newly appointed special representative on Asian affairs, met with delegates from the two sides, who in turn expressed their gratitude for China’s constructive role, according to the spokeswoman. The Myanmar government and the KIO also held talks in early February in Ruili and achieved positive results, said Hua.