China has announced it will conduct live-fire drills near its border with Myanmar, after 120 trucks were allegedly set on fire by militants.
Colonel Tian Junli, spokesman for the Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), said the live-fire drills will begin today as part of the annual training plan.
According to him, the exercises were conducted to test the units' rapid mobility, border control and firepower capabilities.
Chinese troops during a drill in 2020. Photo: Chinamil
"The forces of the Southern Theater Command are always ready to respond to any emergency situation, resolutely protecting national sovereignty, border stability, and the lives and property of the people," Mr. Dien emphasized.
The announcement from the Southern Theater Command did not mention the end time of the exercise or the number of soldiers participating.
The Chinese military's move came a day after Myanmar media reported that the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and People's Defense Force (PDF) used small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to drop bombs on a parking lot at the Kyinsankyawt border gate in Shan State, the Myanmar-China border area on the morning of November 23.
A truck burned at the Kyinsankyawt border gate in Shan State, the Myanmar-China border area on November 23. Photo: Reuters
Fire broke out after bombs hit vehicles parked in the lot and spread from vehicle to vehicle. About 120 of the 258 vehicles carrying consumer goods, household goods, clothing and building materials were burned.
The incident comes amid growing concerns in China about border security with Myanmar as fighting between government troops and rebel groups has intensified. Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Chen Hai met with top officials of Myanmar’s military government in the capital Naypyitaw on November 23 to discuss border stability.
The United Nations expressed concern earlier this month about fighting between the military and armed groups in Myanmar, which has caused civilian casualties and displaced nearly 33,000 people since October 26. Across Myanmar, two million people are displaced, many of them having fled their homes multiple times.
Location of Myanmar's Shan State. Graphic: Crisis Group
Huyen Le (According to China Daily , Reuters )
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