Peng Jiasheng, life and times of a Kokang warlord

'King' of Myanmar's Chinese micro-state highlights web of Sino-Burmese connections

Peng Jiasheng, the founding leader of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDDA), an armed group based in the Kokang region of northern Shan state, who died on Feb. 16 at the age of 94. © AP

Thompson Chau, contributing writer; and Gwen Robinson, Nikkei Asia editor-at-large

March 29, 2022 05:00 JST

TAIPEI/BANGKOK -- An extraordinary ceremony in the Myanmar town of Mongla in eastern Shan State bordering China, on Tuesday will highlight the role of Peng Jiasheng, one of the country's most enigmatic rebel figures.

The founding leader of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDDA), an armed group originally based in the Kokang region of northern Shan state, Peng died on Feb. 16 at the age of 94 in Mongla, to the south of Kokang.