Grapevine

China steps up armed patrols on border as Myanmar conflict deepens

China has reported artillery shells injuring residents and damaging buildings in its territory amid fighting in Shan State.

China’s military has stepped up army and police patrols along its western border with Myanmar amid deepening conflict between the military regime and armed groups opposed to its coup.

The patrols, which also involve air surveillance, will focus on the towns of Ruili, Zhenkang and other front-line areas, the military said in a statement on Monday.

Ruili, in China’s southwestern province of Yunnan, is a main route for people and goods heading to and from Myanmar, but China has reported artillery shells injuring residents and damaging structures in its territory amid rising conflict across the border in Myanmar’s Shan State.

Fighting has escalated there since late year when ethnic armed groups formed an alliance to push the military from the area.