Wa State
Wa State | |
|---|---|
Flag
Emblem
| |
| Anthem: Aux muih Meung Vax (Wa) 我爱佤邦 (Chinese) "I love Wa State" | |
Claimed territory (green) within Myanmar (dark grey) | |
| Status | Autonomous self-governing polity (de jure) Independent state (de facto) |
| Capital | Pangkham 22°10′N 99°11′E / 22.167°N 99.183°E |
| Largest city | Mong Pawk |
| Official languages | None |
| Recognised national languages | Wa |
| Recognised regional languages | |
| Working language | Standard Chinese |
| Ethnic groups | Wa, Hui (Panthay), Han Chinese, Dai, Lahu, Akha, and others |
| Government | Maoist communist state |
• President | Bao Youxiang |
• Vice President | Zhao Guo-an, Lau Yaku |
• Chairman of WPPCC | Zhao Ai Dao |
| History | |
| 17 April 1989 | |
• Ceasefire between the UWSA and the Tatmadaw | 9 May 1989 |
• Creation of the Wa Self-Administered Division | 20 August 2010 |
| Area | |
• Total | 30,000 km2 (12,000 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• Estimate |
|
• Density | 32.8/km2 (85.0/sq mi) |
| Currency | Renminbi (north) Thai baht (south) |
| Time zone | UTC+06:30 (MMT) |
| Calling code | +86 (0)879 (north) +66 (0)53 (south) |
Wa State is a de facto independent state and de jure self-governing region in Myanmar that has its own political system, administrative divisions and army. While the Wa State government recognises Myanmar's sovereignty over all of its territory, this does not include allegiance to any specific government. The 2008 Constitution of Myanmar officially recognises the northern part of Wa State as the Wa Self-Administered Division of Shan State. It is run as a de facto communist state ruled by the United Wa State Party (UWSP), which split from the Communist Party of Burma (CPB) in 1989. Wa State is divided into three counties, two special districts, and one economic development zone. The administrative capital is Pangkham, formerly known as Pangsang. The name Wa is derived from the Wa ethnic group, who speak an Austroasiatic language.