Defense News ,China :- In a Chinese town near the Myanmar border, five individuals sustained injuries on Wednesday due to stray artillery shells originating from across the border. The incident occurred amid ongoing clashes between Myanmar junta and rebel forces, persisting despite diplomatic talks.
A video shared on social media by China state-controlled Global Times depicted a person lying injured on a pedestrian pavement, surrounded by concerned onlookers yelling for assistance. The report stated that officials in Zhenkang, located in Yunnan province, confirmed the shelling, which had crossed over from Laukkai in Myanmar Kokang region, striking Nansan, a town under Chinese jurisdiction, around 2:00 p.m. (0600 GMT) on Wednesday. The wounded individuals were promptly transported to the hospital.
Kokang, situated in Myanmar Shan state, has been a historically unstable region. Similar incidents occurred in 2015 when shelling from Kokang landed in Yunnan, causing injuries and provoking tension between Myanmar government troops and rebels. Some confrontations took place remarkably close to the China-Myanmar border, with battles occurring within 500 meters.
In 2009, clashes in the same area compelled tens of thousands to seek refuge across the border in China, as reported by Chinese state media and human rights organizations.
Amid the escalating armed conflict between Myanmar military and rebel factions since late October, the Chinese embassy in Myanmar advised its nationals in Laukkai to evacuate promptly, citing growing security risks.
China, a neighboring nation, has consistently called for a ceasefire and facilitated dialogue between the conflicting parties. As of mid-December, the United Nations reported that over 660,000 people in Myanmar had been displaced since October 27, contributing to a nationwide record of 2.6 million displaced individuals.
In response, Chinese authorities issued warnings for citizens to avoid traveling to northern Myanmar and encouraged those already in the region to seek safety or return to China. China also urged the conflicting parties to exercise "maximum restraint" and work toward a "soft landing" in the volatile situation in northern Myanmar.
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