Beijing Says Myanmar Rebel Leader in China for ‘Medical Care’

Peng Deren has served as commander of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army since 2009. Photo: MNDAA

Beijing said Tuesday that the head of a Myanmar ethnic minority armed group had come to China for “medical care” after news reports in its war-torn neighbor said he had been arrested on China’s orders.

China is a major ally and arms supplier of Myanmar’s ruling junta but is also thought to maintain ties with ethnic minority armed groups that hold territory along the countries’ shared border, where fighting often flares up.

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