Chinese delegation raises border issues during Myanmar visit

China hopes Myanmar can strengthen border control, prevent stray shells or bullets landing in China and maintain border peace and security, a senior Chinese military official said.

Invited by the military in Myanmar, a delegation led by Zhao Zongqi, the Commanding Officer of the People's Liberation Army Western Theater Command, paid an official visit from Dec 11-14.

During the visit, Zhao spoke with Deputy Commander in Chief of the Tatmadaw (Myanmar armed forces) Soe Win and chief of the No 1 Special Operations Bureau of the Tatmadaw Tun Tun Naung, China's Defense Ministry said.

Both sides agreed that Sino-Myanmar military relations have benefited from long-standing ties and hoped to continue close cooperation and exchanges.

China also expressed concern about ethnic armed groups harassing Chinese border residents living near northern Myanmar.

A Myanmar military officer said the Myanmar army would properly handle border conflicts, keep the situation under control and ensure safety along the border.

Conflicts between four ethnic militant forces and the Myanmar military broke out on Nov 20 in the border towns of Muse and Kutkai in northern Myanmar's Shan state. The fighting injured one Chinese citizen, who was treated in hospital after being injured by a bullet that strayed across the border, according to China's Foreign Ministry.

China has provided temporary shelters to more than 3,000 people from Myanmar fleeing into China since the conflict began.