An attempt by the government of Myanmar, also known as Burma, to challenge ethnic militias has caused 30,000 people to flee over the country’s northern border with China, drawing a rebuke from Beijing, the Financial Times reported. Fighting erupted last week between government troops and members of a militia known as the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) in the Kokang region in northeastern Myanmar. The clashes broke a ceasefire which the government and the militia signed more than 20 years ago. Fighting intensified over the weekend, but the border region was calmer after 700 NDAA fighters entered China and surrendered to authorities. Chinese officials have set up a tent camp in Nansan across the border in Yunnan province and are providing food and medical care to refugees. Beijing is considered a key patron of the Myanmar government, but Chinese citizens are also active in cross-border trade in gems, timber, jade and in the hospitality sector.
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