BANGKOK — China said Thursday that it had expressed “grave concern” to the Myanmar government after a shell, apparently fired during fighting between Myanmar troops and ethnic rebels, landed in Chinese territory, and a Chinese government spokesman called for an immediate cease-fire.
The Chinese response was unusually strong given the close ties between the two countries in recent years, and it suggested that China was growing increasingly impatient and nervous about the fighting between ethnic Kachin rebels and Myanmar government troops.
“China has lodged urgent representation to Myanmar over the incident, to express grave concerns and dissatisfaction,” said Hong Lei, a spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry, who called for a cease-fire, according to the official Xinhua news agency.
Xinhua said the artillery shell was the fourth “bomb” dropped inside China in recent months. Three others landed on Chinese territory on Dec. 30.
Myanmar troops are pressing toward the headquarters of the Kachin Independence Army in Laiza, a town along the border with China.
Myanmar’s government has repeatedly said that it wants to negotiate with the Kachin rebels. “We want to reduce our offensive and return to talks,” U Ye Htut, a spokesman for President Thein Sein, said in an interview with the online news site The Irrawaddy that was posted on Thursday.
But the military appears to be accelerating its campaign against the Kachin, using heavy artillery, attack helicopters and other aircraft to flush out guerrillas from their positions surrounding Laiza.
The Kachin rebels still control portions of territory along the border with China, including areas where Chinese companies own plantations.
China Objects After Shell Is Fired From Myanmar
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China Objects After Shell Is Fired From Myanmar
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China Objects After Shell Is Fired From Myanmar
