Kuomintang

   (KMT, also Guomindang)

   Following the communist victory in China's civil war and the 1949 establishment of the People's Republic of China, about 2,000 Nationalist Chinese (Kuomintang) troops crossed over into Shan State from Yunnan Province and established bases from which Chiang Kai-shek (Jiang Jyeshi) could open a "second front" against the communists (the first front being on Taiwan). Aided by the U.S. government, the Kuomintang irregulars scored no victories against the People's Liberation Army in Yunnan, but their "secret war" against Beijing threatened Burma's sovereignty, especially when it became clear that the KMT was seeking alliances with local ethnic insurgents, such as the Karen National Union. During the mid-1950s, most units of the Tatmadaw were committed to fighting the Kuomintang intruders, and joint operations with the People's Liberation Army were carried out in 1961.

   Many KMT soldiers were forced to relocate to northern Thailand. To raise funds, the KMT became deeply involved in the opium trade and established mutually profitable working relationships with Shan State warlords, especially the Yang family, the rulers of Kokang.