Chinese border trade and security officials from Yunnan Province met with Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) officials in Laiza, the headquarters of the KIO, today.

A KIO officer who spoke to KNG on condition of anonymity confirmed that the meeting took place, but was unable to provide any details about what was discussed.

KNG spoke to Duwa Bawmwang La Raw, the chairman of the overseas-based Kachin National Organization (KNO), about the meeting.

“Political problems between the [Burmese] government and the KIO have not yet been resolved. Therefore, the KIO should not engage in business deals with China or allow China to construct a border road,” Duwa Bawmwang La Raw told KNG.

The KIO and the KNO signed a memorandum of understanding for military and political cooperation in 2011.

According to KIO sources, top officials from the Ta’ang National Liberation Organization were also present at the meeting in Laiza.

The Chinese officials from Yunnan said they came to meet KIO officials in Laiza under instructions from the central government in Beijing.