China urges Myanmar to restore border stability as junta’s conflict with armed groups intensifies
- Senior foreign ministry official calls on Myanmar to ‘cooperate’ with China to maintain stability on their shared border
- Visit by assistant foreign minister Nong Rong comes after armed groups stepped up offensive and put Chinese residents and infrastructure at risk
China has called on Myanmar’s ruling junta to work with Beijing to strengthen security on their shared border amid escalating fighting between government forces and armed groups.
Nong Rong, an assistant foreign minister, was sent to Naypyidaw over the weekend in an apparent effort to ease tensions, a week after armed groups in Myanmar launched a major offensive against the military government in the country’s northeast.
“As a friendly neighbour, China sincerely hopes that Myanmar will restore stability and development as soon as possible, and supports all parties in Myanmar to properly resolve differences within the constitutional and legal framework and achieve reconciliation through dialogue.
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“[China] asked Myanmar to cooperate with us to maintain stability on the China-Myanmar border, effectively ensure the safety of Chinese border residents and their property, and take effective measures to strengthen the security of Chinese personnel, institutions and projects in Myanmar,” Nong said.
China and Myanmar’s shared border runs for 2,000km (1,250 miles).
