缅甸和谈双方签署停火协议草案

A new ceasefire has been signed among Myanmar's armed ethnic groups and the government.

Aung Min is one of the lead negotiators for the Myanmar government.

"The National Ceasefire Agreement we sign today has values which have more than an agreement. NCA is also a starting point to build long lasting peace in Myanmar peace process. Like the President said today, this is opening of peace door"

The new draft is being taken by the negotiation teams for the various ethnic groups to the leaders of their rebel factions to sign-off on.

The new agreement is the culmination of a series of talks which have been taking place since 2013.

It comes amid weeks of fighting in northeastern Myanmar, along the border with China which has seen thousands displaced.

That fighting has also led to cross-border tensions following a bombing which left a number of Chinese nationals dead.

Meanwhile, the United Nations is describing the draft agreement as a "significant achievement" and the first step towards larger political negotiations.