Thousands forced to flee to China from Myanmar
Print Edition
THOUSANDS of people have been forced to flee Myanmar into southwest China’s Yunnan Province following fighting between Myanmar’s army and insurgents, the Chinese government said, repeating a call for restraint.
The fighting and heavy casualties are a setback for Myanmar’s efforts to forge a nationwide cease-fire and end a patchwork of insurgencies that have bedevilled Myanmar since its independence in 1948.
The clashes in Shan State in the northeast between the army and a group called the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army have alarmed China, which fears an influx of villagers fleeing violence and called this week for peace on the border.
In a statement, the Yunnan government said that since February 9 there had been more than 30,000 trips by border residents both into and out of China, implying multiple crossings by some people depending on the fighting.
It was the first time the government had put a number on how many refugees it was having to deal with.
Authorities are providing humanitarian assistance, but have also stepped up patrols to ensure the border is kept under control, the Yunnan government said.
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said yesterday: “We want to use this opportunity to once again call on all sides involved in the clashes in Myanmar to exercise restraint and avoid the situation escalating further to ensure peace and stability of the border, and especially to avoid affecting security on the Chinese side.”
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