China's military conducted armed patrols near the border with Myanmar this week, with the government concerned about the potential impact of fierce fighting in its neighbour's civil war.
The troops were deployed Monday (Aug. 26) to China's southwestern Yunnan province to test their ability to maintain security in border areas, the military's Southern Command said.
The alliance of ethnic militias has dealt a series of setbacks to Myanmar's military in the country's northeast, which is close to China. Five people were wounded in China in January by stray artillery fire.
Live-fire exercises will be held from Tuesday to Thursday at four locations, two of them in Ruili city, the Yunnan regional government said.
The military units will conduct armed patrols and joint air-ground patrols to test their ability to mobilize quickly, block and control and strike together, the southern command said in a statement.
The military previously held live-fire exercises near the border with Myanmar in November.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said earlier this month that his country “opposes chaos and war in Myanmar,” according to Chinese state media.
Beijing helped broker a ceasefire in January, but the deal collapsed in June when one of the Three Sisters Alliance members launched new attacks.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of the military government, recently accused foreign countries of supporting ethnic militias, likely referring to China, which has long had ties to such groups.
Wang, who was on a visit to Myanmar at the time, told Min Aung Hlaing that China opposed the offensive in Shan state, according to Myanmar state television.
China's top diplomat also expressed hope that Myanmar “will effectively safeguard the safety of Chinese personnel and projects” in the country.
The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar issued a warning this month to its citizens in Shan state to strengthen their security precautions and avoid conflict zones or return to China. (uh/ab)
