Wa State[n 1] is a self-governing region[14][15] in Myanmar (Burma) that has its own political system, administrative divisions and army.

Under pressure from the United Nations, the counterattack was cancelled and the army was recalled to northern Thailand and later back to Taiwan; however, some troops decided to remain within Burma.

East of the Salween river, indigenous tribal guerrilla groups exercised control with the support of the Communist Party of Burma.

Many intellectual youths from China joined the Communist Party of Burma, and these forces also absorbed many local guerrillas.

2 (Wa Region)"[22]: 111–112  (Parauk: Hak Tiex Baux Nong (2) Meung Man;[23] Chinese: 缅甸掸邦第二特区; Burmese: "ဝ" အထူးဒေသ(၂)).

[29][30] Tensions between Wa State and Thailand increased in November 2024 over the presence of UWSA bases allegedly encroaching on Thai territory.

Before the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, whilst Wa State was highly autonomous from the control of the central government in Naypyidaw,[36][37] their relationship was based on peaceful coexistence and Wa State recognised the sovereignty of the central government over all of Myanmar.

As of at least 2015, Wa State imposes the death penalty (which is abolished at the national level in Myanmar) for armed assault, rape, murder, and child abuse.

The state is governed by a network of Maoist insurgents, traditional leaders such as headmen, businessmen, and traders, without democratic elections or the rule of law.

Avenues and streets are metaphorical urban-type division name analogical to subdistricts of China and should not be understood literally.

Wa State's northern area is divided into three counties, two special districts, and one economic development zone.

[11][45] Wa State's southern area is administered by the Fourth Theater Command as the "171st military region" and enjoys a high degree of local autonomy.

[46] The region is not part of traditional Wa territory, but was granted in 1989 by the then-ruling Burmese military junta for the UWSA's cooperation in their efforts against drug warlord Khun Sa.

[47] These territories were originally inhabited by the Austroasiatic Tai Loi peoples, but now include significant Lahu and Shan communities, as well as Wa settlers.

These actions were intended to strengthen the Wa government's position there, especially the Mong Yawn valley which is surrounded by mountains on all sides is a strategically important location.

[24] Wa people were also relocated from villages on mountain peaks to the surrounding valleys, officially to offer the residents an alternative to the cultivation of opium.

Serious human rights violations were reported during the resettlement and many people have died, around 10,000 alone during the rains of 2000 since the Wa settlers were not accustomed to tropical diseases like malaria in the warmer southern area.

When a minority person cannot give enough money to the rulers, they can sell children seven years or older as soldiers to the United Wa State Army.

[51] Due to the resettlement of residents from mountainous areas to fertile valleys,[52] there is also cultivation of wet rice, corn and vegetables.

[51] One of the main income sources of Wa State is the mining of resources like tin, zinc, lead and smaller amounts of gold.

[56][58] Wa State is economically dependent on China, which supports it financially and provides military and civilian advisors and weapons.

[62] The United Wa State Army (UWSA) is among the largest narcotics trafficking organizations in Southeast Asia.

At the same time, while opium poppy cultivation in Myanmar had declined year-on-year since 2015, cultivation area increased by 33% totalling 40,100 hectares alongside an 88% increase in yield potential to 790 metric tonnes in 2022 according to latest data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Myanmar Opium Survey 2022[64] With that said, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has also warned that opium production in Myanmar may rise again if the economic crunch brought on by COVID-19 and the country's February 1 military coup persists, with significant public health and security consequences for much of Asia.

[65] In August 1990, government officials began drafting a plan to end drug production and trafficking in Wa State.

[22]: 54  With the help of the United Nations (which began opium-substitution programs in 1998)[22]: 174  and the Chinese government, many opium farmers in Wa State shifted to the production of rubber and tea.

[22]: 56  Low rubber prices severely hampered Wa State's legitimate revenue and the income of rural people.

[22]: 56 A BBC presentation aired on 19 November 2016 showed the burning of methamphetamine, as well as a thriving trade in illegal animal parts.