Myanmar confirms to hold talks with Kachin rebels

Myanmar's government and ethnic Kachin rebels in northern Myanmar say they will hold talks in China this week. Officials say the talks will begin on Sunday in the Chinese border town of Ruili. The meeting comes after the army seized several strategic guerrilla-held hilltops this month in the hills around Laiza, which serves as a headquarters for the rebel movement. A Kachin Independence Army officer and a civilian official working with the government’s negotiation team confirmed the talks. The officials declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the subject. Since fighting began in June 2011, the two sides have held at least 10 rounds of talks to try to end the conflict.