The Ming Chinese had conquered Yunnan after their campaigns of 1380–1388, but have never completely controlled the frontier, which is still occupied by several Shan States.

The Chinese had been forced to send troops back to the region due to the constant Shan raids into Yunnan by Thonganbwa, the saopha of Mogaung.

In 1443, the Zhengtong Emperor had sent yet another expeditionary force (the third campaign since 1436) to punish the pesky Shan raiders.

After learning that Ava had already defeated and captured Thonganbwa at Mogaung, the Chinese forces, encamped at the frontier, had demanded that Ava surrender Thonganbwa, and send a payment of tribute, or it will face attack.

Narapati had refused the Chinese demand, and Ava forces march north in 1444 to meet the Chinese.

The Burmese Chronicles report that the Chinese forces numbered three million, and that the Ava forces numbered two hundred thousand.

The numbers clearly are an exaggeration but an exaggeration that does indicate a grave threat.

(Noted historian of Burmese history, GE Harvey, believes that the military numbers reported during the Ava-Pegu era were an order of magnitude higher.)

Chinese troops descend on Bhamo, and war breaks out.

The Burmese meet the invaders at Kaungton near Bhamo and held their ground.

The Chinese soon face a food supply problem, and retreat to Mong Wan (Mo Wun).

Narapati appoints the saophas of Mogaung and Mong Nai (Mone) to watch over Bhamo and returns to Ava.

The Chinese forces, having regrouped, invaded again in the following year.

On November 3, 1445, the Burmese troops evacuate Bhamo.

The Chinese invaders follow their 1446 conquest of Ava by taking the Shan-held city of Pagan, farther down the Irrawaddy River.