The military of the People's Republic of China has announced that it will be holding live land and air fire drills along the border with Myanmar, where skirmishes have been happening between the Myanmar government and ethnic Chinese rebels.
The Defense Ministry of China has stated that the military drills will commence on Tuesday, and will take place in two Yunnan counties that lie right next to Myanmar's Kokang region, according to Reuters. The Defense Ministry of China has also said that it has informed Myanmar about the drills.
Myanmar is currently trying to battle an ethnic insurgency in the northeastern Shan state. The country declared a state of emergency in the Kokang region of Shan state back in February, according to ABC News.
The tension between China and Myanmar began in March when a warplane from Myanmar dropped a bomb in a sugar cane field. The incident killed five Chinese people and injured eight others. In response to the incident, the Chinese government sent fighter jets to patrol the border as a symbol of strength, according to ABC News.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has stated that the government promises to "resolutely" protect its citizens in the area.
Two explosive devices have hit the area last month, as well, injuring five people, four of whom were Chinese. The insurgence in the area has prompted tens of thousands of people to seek refuge by crossing the border into China's southwestern province of Yunnan, according to Reuters.
The Defense Ministry's statement said that the live fire drills will not affect the normal lives of residents in the area.
However, the citizens there would have to follow instructions and strict guidelines, such as off-limit sites during the duration of the drills.
The end of the live fire drills has not been announced as of yet.
