Political conflicts between the Burmese government and minority ethnic groups have been a chronic problem without any solution in sight. The conflicts stemmed from three main factors. For the geographical factor, high mountains separated the ethnic groups from the rest of the country. Regarding the historical factor, there were cultural differences and diverse ethnic origins. As for the political factor, after British rule, successive governments tried to unify the country without giving the ethnic groups an opportunity to participate in the national administration. These factors had led to conflicts and wars. Although China reduced its assistance to the Communist Party of Burma and ethnic minority armies along its borders as well as attempted to revive its economy, leading to less fighting and some temporary ceasefires, the conflicts could not be completely eradicated because existing policies only solved the problems temporarily.