China providing help to fleeing Myanmar residents

BEIJING - China has been providing help out of humanitarian considerations to Myanmar residents who have fled across the country's border to escape recent violence, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a Tuesday press briefing.

Hong made the remarks in response to a media report claiming that Chinese authorities have forced some Myanmar refugees back into the country.

Hong denied the accusations, stating that those who went back to Myanmar were not refugees.

Hong said violence has broken out between Myanmar government forces and the armed forces of some minority groups, causing some Myanmar residents to flee to China to seek help from relatives and friends. They went back after the violence abated.