China has put strategic pressure on the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) on the rare mineral lifting region in Myanmar's Kachin state. Beijing has threatened to buy minerals lifted from the KIA's ongoing operation to control the region. According to a British news agency Reuters search report, Chinese Foreign Ministry officials gave the ultimatum at a meeting with KIA in May this year. However, it was not known where the meeting took place.
About half of the world's heavy minerals are lifted in the Kachin state of Myanmar, especially north of the city of Bahmo. Minerals are exported to China and processed there. Which is transformed into a magnet used in technology such as electric cars and wind turbines.
The city of Bahmo is strategically important. The KIA has been fighting against the Myanmar junta government since December to take control of the city, located just 5 km from the border.
A KIA official told Reuters that China made us clear that they would not buy rare minerals exported from Kachin if they did not stop trying to occupy the Bahmo. Even economic sanctions will be imposed on the entire region.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs went on to comment on the matter that the ceasefire and peace talks between the Myanmar army and the KIA were in the mutual interest of the people of Myanmar and China.
However, analysts say China's main goal is not closed the Civil War. Rather, to protect economic interests by ensuring the stability of the border region. Myanmar -based analyst David Mathenson said China's pressure is actually a common strategy to reduce conflict. In this they want to keep their economic access through the junta government.
According to Reuters, the ongoing conflict has disrupted rare mineral lifting in the Kachin region and mineral exports from Myanmar this year have decreased. However, it is not yet certain whether China has implemented the threat.
Earlier in response to US President Donald Trump's tariff, China imposed restrictions on mineral exports in the current spring. This time they are using the same mineral as a strategic weapon in favor of Myanmar's junta government.
