China ‘shocked’ after consulate attack in Myanmar

China said Monday it had lodged a protest with Myanmar authorities after Beijing’s consulate in the city of Mandalay was attacked with an explosive device.

“China expresses its deep shock at the attack and sternly condemns it,” foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said of the incident that occurred Friday.

“China has made stern representations to the Myanmar side,” Lin said.

China is a major ally and arms supplier to Myanmar’s junta, but it also maintains ties with ethnic groups fighting the military in Myanmar’s northern Shan state, according to analysts.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military deposed the government of Aung San Suu Kyi and seized power in 2021.

The blast occurred at the consulate office in central Mandalay, south of the sprawling Royal Palace, around 7:00 pm Friday (1230 GMT), local media said.

A statement from the junta on Saturday night blamed “terrorists” for the incident, which it said it was investigating in cooperation with consulate officials.

China said Monday there had been no casualties and that it had “urged Myanmar to thoroughly investigate the attack” and “go all out to catch and punish the perpetrators in accordance with the law”.

Beijing called on authorities to “comprehensively step up security for Chinese consular offices, institutions, projects and personnel in Myanmar, and prevent this kind of incident from ever happening again,” Lin said.

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