China facilitates evacuations from conflict-hit northern Myanmar

ANKARA

China on Monday said it has facilitated the evacuation of citizens of “certain” countries from northern Myanmar through Chinese territory to avoid a conflict.

Beijing will continue to maintain communication with relevant countries and provide assistance, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.

Responding to a question about the evacuation of citizens of some other countries such as Thailand through China, Mao said that China has recently provided “entry and exit” facilities to the citizens of some countries that have requested assistance from Beijing.

One citizen of Singapore was also evacuated from the conflict-hit region.

About 260 citizens of Thailand are among those evacuated from battlefields in Laukkaing town in northern Myanmar, the local English daily Bangkok Post reported, citing the Foreign Ministry.

The ministry in Bangkok said Myanmar authorities transported the Thai nationals from Laukkaing to its border with China, where Chinese authorities allowed them to enter their territory.

The Myanmar military, which seized power in a 2021 coup, is losing control of several towns across the country as they battle a coordinated offensive launched by an alliance of three ethnic-minority groups and pro-democracy fighters last month.

Recently, some Chinese citizens have already returned to China, and the relevant authorities will continue to closely monitor the security situation in northern Myanmar and provide assistance to Chinese citizens, said the spokesperson.

Beijing has already barred its citizens from traveling to conflict-hit northern Myanmar.

The UN has said the fresh conflict in Myanmar’s northern Shan State has expanded to the country’s northwest and southeast regions, and Rakhine State since late October, leaving over 200,000 people displaced.

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army, and the Arakan Army armed groups have claimed control of numerous outposts and four towns, blocking critical trade routes to China.

Hundreds of people have fled the conflict and some have entered Indian territory in recent days.

Myanmar is currently ruled by a junta regime after the military overthrew a civilian government two years ago.

The UN expressed alarm at the severe fighting in Shan, pointing to reports of artillery fire and air raids, causing civilian harm, displacement of tens of thousands, and hundreds fleeing across the border.