The Nation Unity Government, which is mostly led by elite Burman politicians, has attempted to collaborate with other ethnic armed groups for support since the coup in 2021. This is a long-standing practice in Myanmar. A similar tactic was done when General Ne Win overthrew Prime Minister U Nu. U Nu then established a government-in-exile and sought backing from ethnic armed groups to combat the military. During the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), exiled Burman politicians formed the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) to oppose the military. Indeed, they reach ethnic armed groups for a hand.

The present body of the exiled government followed the same process. They have proclaimed plans to uproot the military rule and establish a new Myanmar nation. However, they have failed to reach a constructive agreement with ethnic armed groups over military and political issues.

Again, the NUG claims that they have reached an agreement with K3C – Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Karen National Union (KNU), Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), and Chin National Front (CNF), however, the KIA has yet to formally confirm their participation.

In addition, it stated that the Three Brotherhood Alliance (3BHA), which includes the Arakan Army (AA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), worked with the NUG. however, there is a question raised whether their cooperation with the 3BHA group is only because these armed organizations operate near the Chinese border.

China’s pressure on the 3BHA has led MNDAA to express its stance and relationship with NUG. (1) The MNDAA has publicly declared its intention to maintain its self-administration zone rather than pursue an independent state. (2) It has denied any coordination with the NUG and ruled out attacks on Mandalay and Taunggyi. (3) The MNDAA’s commitment to resolving issues through political means, following China’s peace initiative. This, frankly, shows the relationship between the MNDAA and the NUG, whether or not they are working together to overthrow the military dictatorship or have never collaborated.

China’s influence over ethnic armed groups along its border remains evident. Following a meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Myanmar’s military regime leader, General Min Aung Hlaing, ethnic armed groups were urged to cease attacking the Myanmar military. For example, Deng Xijun, China’s special envoy to Myanmar, met with General Gam Shawng, the KIA’s Vice Chairman, as well as leaders from the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA)/Mongla group. It also intended to have talks with the TNLA, AA, and MNDAA groups.

On the other side, the military dictatorship labeled the 3BHA as an unlawful terrorist group. It conducted airstrikes against the 3BHA in towns recently taken by the TNLA, including Lashio, Nawng Khio, Namkham, and Manton. However, despite the fact that the military regime utilizes warfare aircraft to attack people in the pretense of a counter-offensive against revolutionary organizations, some of the bombs occur near China’s borders. However, China has turned a blind eye to these attacks. This demonstrates that China is now on the military side. So now is the time for the NUG to back up their claim of collaboration with ethnic armed groups, notably 3BHA members.