China brokers Myanmar truce

China on Friday said it had negotiated an “immediate ceasefire” between the Myanmar military and an alliance of ethnic minority armed groups, following fighting that has raged across the northern Shan state since October.

“The two sides agreed to an immediate ceasefire, to disengage military personnel and resolve relevant disputes and demands through peaceful negotiations,” foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.

The talks took place with the “mediation and facilitation of the Chinese side” on Wednesday and Thursday in Kunming, Yunnan Province that borders Myanmar, she said.

Mao did not say what areas were covered by the ceasefire.