Sino-Burma border situation stable: China

by Mungpi
Wednesday, 30 September 2009 23:08

New Delhi (Mizzima) – China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday denied media reports that local Burmese authorities had ordered Chinese citizens in North-eastern Shan State to leave, and said the situation along the border is “stable and in order.”

Replying to a question, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said, “According to our knowledge, the reports are not true. The current situation on the China-Myanmar border is stable and in order.”

Earlier, media reports suggested, that the Burmese authorities in the Kokang region of North-eastern Shan state ordered at least 100 Chinese citizens to leave the area. The media reports appeared after last month’s clashes between government troops and ethnic Kokang rebels that led to the exodus of tens of thousands of refugees to China.

“The exchanges between the two peoples are also normal. China has requested Myanmar [Burma] to take effective measures according to the law to protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens in Myanmar [Burma],” Jiang Yu said.

China has long expressed that its main concern along the border is stability and urged the Burmese regime to maintain stability along the border.

Despite the Chinese concerns, the Burmese military junta in late August flushed out the Peng Jiasheng-led Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), also known as Kokang Army, breaking a 20-year ceasefire agreement.

According to the International Crisis Group’s report titled “China’s Myanmar Dilemma” released in mid-September, the Burmese junta did not forewarn China of its plan to attack the MNDAA.

In the wake of the sudden influx of refugees from Burma, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement urging the Burmese government to handle its internal affairs properly and urged it to protect the rights of Chinese citizens in Burma.

Observers said, with heavy reinforcements and increased troops deployed, the Burmese Army is likely to launch attacks on other ceasefire groups including the United Wa State Army (UWSA), which will then lead to a bloodbath and send waves of refugees into China.