China's military said today it had deployed army units for air-to-ground patrols near the border with Myanmar to maintain security and stability in a region troubled by fighting between the ruling junta and rebels in the neighboring country, Reuters reported. quoted by BTA.
Patrols will focus on areas around Ruili, Zhenkan and other border areas in China, the Chinese military said in a statement.
Major fighting is taking place in Myanmar's northern Kachin and Shan regions, with artillery shelling injuring people and causing property damage on the Chinese side of the border, as well as threatening infrastructure projects in China.
Because of this, the Chinese military has organized its units in the area to test their ability to “move quickly, block and control, carry out joint strikes and maintain security and stability in border areas,”, the military said.
A unit of the People's Liberation Army of China will also conduct live ammunition drills on the Chinese side of the Myanmar border from August 27 to 29, according to another Chinese military statement.
The exercise will take place in areas south of Ruili as well as other areas in western Yunnan province, the military said.
China has said that the conflict in Myanmar has a negative impact on the stability and social order of the China-Myanmar border.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently said that Beijing will continue its “commitment to restore peace in Myanmar”.