China to exercise near Myanmar border on day following convey fire

China’s military stated on social media that it will begin combat training activities on its side of the border with Myanmar on Saturday, a day after a convoy of trucks transporting commodities into the neighboring Southeast Asian countries caught fire.

The incident, described as an insurgent strike, occurred amid insecurity concerns in China, whose envoy met with top officials in Myanmar’s capital for talks on border stability following recent signs of rare strain in bilateral ties.

The exercise intends to test the rapid maneuverability, border sealing, and fire strike capabilities of theatre troops, according to the Southern Theatre Command, one of five in China’s People’s Liberation Army.

The brief announcement provided no information on the date or quantity of troops.

The fire in Muse came as Myanmar’s military has lost control of many towns and military sites in the northeast and elsewhere as it confronts the most coordinated onslaught it has faced since seizing power in a 2021 coup.

According to the United Nations, the spike in conflict has displaced more than 2 million people in Myanmar.

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