Myanmar just might have to apologize (for the second time) to China after claims that bombing sorties missed their targets and spilled over the border during clashes with Kokang rebels in the north.
A number of media reports this week have quoted Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei telling reporters on Tuesday in Beijing that, “recently, some shells from Myanmar have fallen into China causing damage to property, but fortunately no injuries or deaths.”
“China has already lodged stern representations with Myanmar and demanded they earnestly take effective steps to prevent this from happening again … Myanmar said they will try to severely restrain the relevant personnel to prevent it from happening again.”
U Zaw Htay, director of the President’s Office, told the Myanmar Times that the claims are being investigated.
The military has been engaged in fierce fighting with the Kokang rebels, an armed ethnic Chinese group that operates near the border. Scores have been killed and wounded on both sides since fighting erupted in February.
China first lashed out at its neighbor in March, when the military accidentally bombed Chinese territory, killing five people. Myanmar apologized and compensation is being discussed, though figures have yet to be revealed.
Photo: Daderot/Wikicommons
