China reacts after artillery shells from Myanmar fall on its territory

China's foreign ministry has had serious discussions with relevant parties in Myanmar and "regrets" reports that stray shells from Myanmar fell into Chinese territory and injured civilians, state-run CGTN reported on January 4.

Trung Quốc phản ứng sau khi đạn pháo từ Myanmar rơi xuống lãnh thổ- Ảnh 1. — An explosion in Nanzan, Yunnan Province (China) after artillery shells fell

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Beijing is closely following the situation in northern Myanmar, where fighting between Myanmar's military and armed groups has persisted despite dialogue. China again called for an immediate ceasefire.

Besides, Mr. Uong warned that China will take necessary actions to protect the safety and security of Chinese people and property.

Earlier, Reuters quoted a report from the Global Times saying that five people in Nanzan town in Yunnan province (China) near Myanmar were injured by stray artillery shells and were taken to hospital.

Officials from Zhenkang city, also in Yunnan province, confirmed the incident and said the shells flew in at around 2 p.m. on January 3 from Laukkai, an area in the Kokang region in northern Myanmar.

Last week, the Chinese embassy in Myanmar urged its citizens to leave Laukkai as soon as possible due to growing security risks.

Kokang, in Myanmar’s Shan State, has been a volatile region for years. In 2015, shells from the area also flew into China’s Yunnan province during fighting between Myanmar government forces and rebel groups, injuring one Chinese and four Myanmar nationals.

In December 2023, the United Nations estimated that more than 660,000 people had fled their homes in Myanmar since October 27. China has urged its citizens to avoid traveling to northern Myanmar and advised those there to return home or seek shelter.

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