China urges enhanced security of diplomatic missions, projects in Myanmar

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – An explosion targeting a Chinese consulate in Myanmar has damaged a building, Beijing confirmed on Monday, urging its southern neighbor to enhance the security of its diplomatic missions, state media reported.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said an office building of the Chinese Consulate-General in Mandalay in northern Myanmar was damaged last week.

The consulate was “hit by an explosion attack at around 5 p.m. (1030GMT) on Friday. No casualties have been reported, but the explosion caused some damage to the building,” Lin told reporters in Beijing.

Expressing “deep shock” and “strong” condemnation of the attack, Lin said the ministry as well as consular agencies in Myanmar have “promptly activated emergency mechanisms and initiated swift responses.”

“China has made serious representations to Myanmar, urging a thorough investigation of the attack, an all-out effort to legally capture and punish the perpetrators,” Lin said.

Beijing, Lin added, has urged Myanmar to “significantly” enhance the security of Chinese diplomatic missions, projects, and personnel in Myanmar to “prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.”

Meanwhile, photos and videos circulating online show hundreds of Burmese lining up at the entry point into China on the southern side of the border with Myanmar.

Northern Myanmar has seen attacks against the junta regime by rebels increase in recent weeks with “Brotherhood Alliance” claiming control over major places.

Beijing had mediated a cease-fire between the junta and rebels which broke down several times.

Amid escalating attacks on its installation, the junta surprisingly invited rebels as well as the national unity government in exile to join national elections expected to be announced this month.