The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), the political arm of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), is ready to enter political talks that could help end Myanmar's civil war, KIO spokesperson Colonel Naw Bu said.

He said the KIO conveyed this position to China during a meeting between Chinese government officials and KIO leaders in late February.

During the meeting with the KIO delegation led by KIO Chairman General N’Ban La and Kachin Independence Council (KIC) Vice Chairman 1 Lieutenant General Sumlut Gun Maw, Chinese government officials urged the KIO to start political talks with the junta.

“We were advised that engaging in dialogue with the junta could be beneficial for us. From our position, we are ready to take part in any political talks that could end the civil war in Myanmar,” he told MNJ.

The KIA also clarified to Chinese officials that the junta’s claim blaming the KIA for the drone attack that damaged a civilian passenger plane at Myitkyina airport on February 20 was false, he added.

“The attack at Myitkyina Airport had nothing to do with the KIA. We have no policy or orders to target civilians, and we would never carry out such an act. We have made it clear that the incident was not connected to us,” Colonel Naw Bu said.

According to Colonel Naw Bu, China also urged the KIO to avoid launching any military operations along the border between Kachin State and China in March.

He said the meeting was primarily to celebrate the Chinese New Year and that China did not place any specific pressure on them.

Lieutenant General Gun Maw said in an online address to the 65th Kachin Revolution Day event in Texas, United States, that the KIO has already inquired whether the coup regime in Naypyidaw is willing to hold talks with the resistance-led National Unity Government (NUG). He added that the KIO has informed Myanmar’s neighboring countries that it will only participate in inclusive talks involving all stakeholders, rather than discussions limited to selective groups.