Glimpses on Sino Shan relations: Lessons from history. By Khuensai Jaiyen. China Myanmar Scholars Informal Meeting. (27 November 2017)

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1 Glimpses on Sino Shan relations: Lessons from history By Khuensai Jaiyen China Myanmar Scholars Informal Meeting (27 November 2017) This is not an academic paper and the presenter is not an academic. He is just a seeker of knowledge and wisdom. Just the same, if there are any oversights, he will be responsible for them. Introduction The Sino Shan relations go far back into ancient history. Indeed, there are a few scholars who claim that Lao Zi, believed to be the author of Dao De Jing (the Book of The Way and Virtue/Power), was a Lao (a different name for peoples of the Tai family). But this presentation begins before the end of the Pagan (Bagan) era ( ). The main aim is to illustrate how policies of successive Shan leaders toward China had been crucial to the survival of their land and freedom. Reference books and papers The History of Central Shan by Sao Yanfa Hsenwi and Nandasiha Mongnawng (1987) History of Burma by U Ba Than Gazetteer of Upper Burma and the Shan States (1899) An article by Dr Than Tun ( ) on Hso Khan Fa A History of Southeast Asia (Fourth Edition) by D.G.E. Hall The Shan States and the British Annexation, by Sao Saimong Mangrai (1965) History of Shan Resistance, Part I, by Gam Leng (2004) KhuensaiJaiyen s diaries Independence magazine, Vol.25 No.247, 2008 issue Somdet Phra Naresuan Maharaj and Shan Saophas Connection, by Khur Hsen (2009) According to D.G.E.Hall ( ), As diplomatists, the Thais have never been unsurpassed. As soon as the Mongols were supplanted by the Mings, the Siamese kings sent frequent embassies to Nanjing, then the Ming capital, and diligently cultivated friendly relations. No wonder how they had managed to keep their country from being colonized. D.G.E. Hall So how about their cousins, the Shans, who call themselves Tai (written in Pinyin as Dai)? 1

2 The Shan era ( ) Despitee new versions of history written by some academics, Dr Than Tun ( ), the Burman historian most revered by both Burmans and non Burmans alike, had confirmed about the Shan period ( ), which was set out by the Three Shan Brothers: Athinkhaya, Razathingyan and Thihathu (known by Shans as Ai Hseng Khai, Yi Hseng Gam and Hsarm Hseng Hsai). Following their seizure of Pagan in 1298, and subsequent Dr. Than Tun fightingg against the Mongols who had marched down to reinstitute the Pagan kingdom in 1301, the Shan Brothers sent envoys to Nanjing to pay tribute. Their diplomatic overture was accepted, and during the next few years 5 more missions of this nature from the Shan Brothers are recorded and the surviving brother Thihathu was recognized as the King of Mien. According to Dr Than Tun, by the time the Shan kings were established in Pinya, Sagaing, and later Ava, they had become Burmanized, just as the Mongols weree being Sinicized in China. Hso Khan Fa ( ) Official history does not know him. But both Shan and British histories have credited him with conquest of most of today s Myanmar, together with Shan Tai inhabited territories in today s India, China, Laos and northern Thailand. His 53 year reign was said to have been sustained by two factors, other than his military prowess: One, dissension and unrest in China against Mongol rule Two, diplomatic missions headedd by his son to the court of Beijing But things were different for the two Shan kings that came after Thihathu and Hso Khan Fa. Hso Khifa (1405? 1446) Again, according to Hall, with the passing of the Yuan dynasty in 1368, China lost control over the Silk Road across Asia to the West. In the search for new outlets for trade, the Mings, with their eyes upon the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwaddy), decided thatt the Shans, that stood in the way of this plan, must be subdued. Sao Saimong Mangrai There was an added reason: ambitious Shan brothers, HsoKhifa and HsoNgamfa, weree attempting to revive the old Shan empire, established by their great ancestor HsoKhanfa. 2

3 After a campaign spanning 8 years, from , the two brothers were defeated and took refuge with Ava. As to be expected, the Chinese commander demanded the surrender of the fugitives. King Narapati agreed to the surrender terms. There upon HsoKhifa committed suicide by taking poison and his dead body was surrendered together with his surviving brother HsoNgamfa who was never heard of again. The question is: What would have happened had the two brothers employed diplomatic means instead of armed resistance? Kham Kainoi of Hsenwi ( ) Following conquest by Bayinnaung ( ) Kham Kainoi, like other sons of conquered kings and princes, was held hostage at the then Burmese capital, Pegu. He joined the revolt by Ayuddhaya snaresuan, two years after Bayinnaung s death. In 1600, with Naresuan s support, he returned triumphantly to Hsenwi. But his victory was short lived. Reason: he refused to pay tribute to both Ava and China which was considered the gravest kind of breach in the patron proxy relations in those days. War was declared by both sides. King Naresuan promptly went to his rescue, but fell ill and died on the way in today s Mongtontownship. The twin sacred rose chestnut(gamgaw/boonnark) trees believed to have been planted in Hsenwi by King Naresuan and Sao Kham Kainoi The Question is: If Kham Kainoi were able to negotiate a mutually satisfactory deal with all the three powers, particularly with China, would he have lost his domain, regarded as the biggest princedom in the north? Gawnzerng aka Mo Herng ( ) A native of Yawnghwe, he had joined the Communist Party of Burma (CPB) in years later, following disputes over the agrarian revolution launched by the CPB leadership, he broke away to form the Shan State Communist Party (SSCP) and sought assistance from China. The latter s reply was that it could recognize only one proletarian party per country. His argument that Burma and Shan State were different British colonies and only came together through the Panglong Agreement fell on deaf ears. The incipient SSCP thus came into an early end. Gawnzerng aka Mo Herng 3

4 Along the same lines, the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP), formed by the Shan State Army (SSA) in 1971, sought recognition from the Communist Party of China (CPC). The SSPP had to settle with being a subordinate ally to the CPB which only lasted until until 1989, when its leadership was overthrown by the Wa mutiny. KhunSa ( ) In 1993, KhunSa, leader of the Mong Tai Army (MTA), then considered the strongest armed resistance movement, received guests from China, who reportedly told him that the only way he could receive aid from them was by establishing bases along the Sino Burmese border. KhunSa s forces marched to the north to establish those bases but were attacked by the Myanmar Army while enroute and scattered to the winds. Khun Sa A mutiny within his command followed which broke his resolve. He then chose what he thought was the only way out: surrender. Both KhunSa and the MTA leadership claimed that it was not the Myanmar Army, but China, that had defeated him: its agents had tipped off the Tatmadaw. Shan independence did not appear to be in the interest of China. KhunSa only had only himself to blame. Conclusion The first moral that can be drawn from these stories is that whenever Shans were able to cultivate strong relations with China, they enjoyed peace and harmony. On the other hand, whenever they chose to go against China, they fell apart. I think this also applies to the rest of the country which we call the Union today. The second moral has to do with the breakup of the Union, or rather, the fear of it. Today, Naypyitaw s greatest concern is whether or not the non Burmans, especially the Shans, are for secession. But looking back at recent history, this fear is unwarranted. 1. China has been backing the One Myanmar policy, in deed if not in words. And with possible resumption of sanctions by the West, the country is moving back closer to China. 2. The population of Shans, especially after a 3 year forced relocation program launched in 1996, are less than 50% in Shan State. 3. Our country has been transforming into a democracy, where the majority decides its destiny by elections and referendums. 4. Shan political parties and armed movements are still divided, with and without external intrigues. 4

5 What more do the Burmese/Myanmar leaders want? Kick a man when he s down? We all know very well what a cornered wild animal can do. Sometimes when we try too hard to prevent something to happen, it happens. It may be sound advice to let the tiger lie. The wiser and simple alternative would be to honor the Panglong Agreement signed in It will be a win win solution for all. 5