China's military says it conducted armed patrols, joint police patrols near China-Myanmar border (updated)

Emperor Culture

26/08/2024 02:17

(Adds background, context)
       BEIJING, Aug 26 (Reuters) - China's military said on
Monday it had organised army units and joint air-ground police
patrols near the Myanmar border to maintain security and
stability as fighting between Myanmar's ruling junta and rebel
forces escalates.
    The patrols will focus on Ruili, Zhenkang and other
frontline areas, the military said in a statement.
    The Southern Theater of the Chinese People's Liberation Army
organised army units to test troops' ability to "quickly move,
block and control, and strike together, and maintain security
and stability in the border areas," the military said.
    China had said it planned more drills near the Myanmar
border as fighting between Myanmar's junta and rebels resulted
in artillery shells injuring people and damaging structures in
Chinese territory.
    China has said the conflict was having a negative effect on
stability and social order on the China-Myanmar border.
    Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi also said recently that
China would continue "its commitment to restore peace and
stability in Myanmar."

 (Reporting by Bernard Orr and Shanghai newsroom; Editing by
Christopher Cushing and Michael Perry)
 ((bernard.orr@thomsonreuters.com))