Home ›› 24 Apr 2020 ›› World Biz
China closed a border crossing with Myanmar on Friday after fighting in that nation spilled into a Chinese province and damaged buildings.
State broadcaster CCTV said vehicles, a school and other buildings in Yunnan province were damaged by bullets, artillery fire and flames from an exploding gas station in Myanmar.
CCTV reported no deaths or injuries in the Chinese town of Jiegao, but the situation inside Myanmar was unclear.
Various ethnic rebel groups based along the countries' border are fighting Myanmar's military while seeking autonomy from the central government.
The fighting has caused occasional deaths in China, fueled cross-border crime and sent refugees fleeing temporarily into China, where many share ethnic, linguistic and familial links.
China has longstanding ties to Myanmar's military leaders, who retain much power despite recent democratic reforms.
Meanwhile, China serves as a no-questions-asked ally to Myanmar, giving it diplomatic cover as the country faces widespread condemnation over its human rights record, including its treatment of Rohingya Muslims.
(Source: UNB)
