By Shannon Tiezzi
Once again, Chinese citizens are caught in the crossfire of Myanmar’s ethnic tensions.
On May 14, several Chinese citizens were injured during a Myanmar government shelling operation against armed ethnic rebels. Radio Free Asia, citing local sources, reports that eight people in the township of Nansan were injured in the blasts. Witness reported five separate explosions in a half-hour period on the evening of May 14. One resident told RFAthe incident wasn’t an isolated occurrence: “There have been bombs exploding a lot in recent days, and a lot of people are terrified.” Residents also reported gunfire from the fighting hitting buildings in their town.
The May 14 incident came just over two months after Myanmar government jets accidentally bombed the Chinese side of the border, killing five Chinese citizens and injuring eight. In response, China stepped up air patrols of the border region and a top military official warned that the “Chinese military will take resolute measures to protect the safety of Chinese people and their assets.”
Now that the crossfire of Myanmar’s conflict with ethnic Kokang rebels has again spilled over the border, China’s government will face increased domestic pressure to act. Local residents who spoke with RFA are complaining that the central government and military are not doing enough to protect them. “These incidents have happened many times already, without the [Chinese government] dealing with it in a resolute manner,” one local said.
Read the full story at The Diplomat