A TNLA official said China has gone beyond making occasional threats against the armed group and is now applying multiple forms of sustained pressure.

The civilian government has appointed US businessman John Todoroki, once jailed in Myanmar for growing marijuana, to lobby the Trump administration for support.

Despite pledging a post-quake ceasefire, Myanmar’s military carried out over 240 attacks, UN rights chief Volker Turk said, calling for a return to civilian rule.