Stray shells from Burma injure five in China: Beijing vows to protect its citizens
Reuters agency reported that the artillery shells from Burma landed in a Chinese city located in the southwestern province of Yunnan. The incident was first reported by the Chinese government newspaper Global Times. Confirming that the shelling took place on Wednesday, it was reported that five people were injured as a result.
6:21 AM EST, January 4, 2024
China released an official statement on the matter. Beijing called on the parties involved in the conflict in northern Burma to cease fire immediately. They also demanded concrete actions to avoid similar incidents.
"China deeply regrets the harm inflicted upon Chinese victims of this conflict and has made serious statements to the relevant parties," said the spokesman of the Ministry of Defense, Wang Wenbin, as quoted by Reuters. He further stipulated, "China once again urges all parties to cease fire and fighting and to take measures to prevent such cruel incidents from happening again." Wang highlighted that Beijing will take necessary steps to protect the lives and property of its citizens.
Global Times has shared a video on social media documenting the scene. The video displays an injured person lying on the sidewalk while bystanders yell, "Call the police!". The video also reports that officials in Zhenkang, a city in the southwestern province of Yunnan, confirmed that the stray shells were fired from Laukkai, in the northern region of Burma, as per Reuters.
