China’s Bilateral Relations with Myanmar: Close Ties and Hedging between Warring Parties

China maintains cordial relations with the Myanmar military’s State Administration Council and the country’s northern ethnic armed organisations. Its relationship with the Northern Alliance that comprises four such organisations has strengthened significantly and become much more structured. China’s support for two parties that are in open conflict may appear dysfunctional but it performs an important role of maintaining peace and security along their lengthy common border.