Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin (Photo: Getty).
China confirmed on November 7 that there were casualties among its citizens after armed rebel groups clashed with the Myanmar military in the border area between the two countries.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin spoke generally about the incident, without specifying whether anyone had died. He also did not specify the exact location of the incident.
Myanmar media last weekend quoted sources saying that one Chinese national appeared to have been killed and two others injured after the military confronted rebels.
A shell appears to have landed on the Chinese side of the border, sources said. Neither China nor Myanmar has commented on the report.
Earlier, the Myanmar military said it was trying to restore order near the border after a coalition of ethnic armed groups launched attacks and took control of several areas near the shared border with China.
On November 7, Mr. Uong said Beijing "expressed strong dissatisfaction with the escalation of the armed conflict that has caused casualties among Chinese people."
He added that China had sent messages of protest to relevant parties and was "paying close attention to the conflict situation in northern Myanmar".
"China once again demands that all parties involved in the conflict in northern Myanmar immediately cease fire," he said.
According to him, the parties "must take practical measures to prevent any incidents that endanger the lives and property of people in the Chinese border area from recurring."
China said it would take “necessary measures to protect the lives and property of its citizens.” Since last week, China has expressed concern about the escalating fighting near its border with Myanmar.
Senior Chinese diplomat Nong Dung visited Myanmar over the weekend and met with senior government officials, calling on the Southeast Asian nation to work together to maintain stability on their shared border.
He also called on the Myanmar government to "ensure the safety of people's lives and property in China's border areas, and take effective measures to enhance the security of Chinese personnel, organizations and projects in Myanmar."
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military took power in February 2021.
According to local media, rebel members of the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) on November 4 appeared to have seized two outposts from pro-Myanmar regular army militia near Lashio, the largest town in northern Myanmar's Shan State and home to the northeastern army command.
The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) also said it had taken control of three outposts further east.
The MNDAA, TNLA and Arakan Army (AA) claim to have taken control of dozens of outposts and four towns, blocking vital trade routes to China. Earlier, the town of Chinshwehaw also fell to the rebels, according to Myanmar's regular army.
Fighting in the area has forced more than 23,000 people to flee their homes, according to the United Nations.
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