China sends troops to patrol near border with Myanmar

Beijing [China], August 26: The Chinese military announced today, August 26, that it has organized a joint patrol of military and police units near the Myanmar border.
In a statement, the Chinese military said it had organized military units to test their ability to "move rapidly, block and control, strike together and maintain security and stability in border areas," according to Reuters.
The Chinese military added that the patrols focused on Ruili city, Zhenkang county in China's Yunnan province and other frontline areas.
China said earlier it planned to hold more military exercises near the Myanmar border as fighting between Myanmar troops and rebels left many people injured and destroyed some structures on Chinese territory.
According to China, the fighting in Myanmar is having a negative impact on stability and social order on the China-Myanmar border.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently said that China will remain "committed to restoring peace and stability in Myanmar".
Clashes in Myanmar's northern Shan state bordering China's Yunnan province since June have disrupted a ceasefire brokered by Beijing in January.
In July, an alliance of ethnic armed groups in Myanmar agreed to extend a ceasefire with the government in Shan state after "pressure" from China, AFP reported, citing a leader of one group in the alliance.
The ceasefire, which has been extended until July 31, comes after recent clashes led to an alliance of three ethnic armed groups in Myanmar known as the "Three Brothers Alliance" seizing territory from the Myanmar military along a strategic highway to China, according to AFP.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper