The regime in Naypyidaw announced on Wednesday that anyone who wishes to carry out earthquake relief efforts in Myanmar must seek approval from the local authorities, or its embassies abroad. This comes one day after regime troops fired upon a Red Cross Society of China convoy traveling overland from the China-Burma border to Mandalay, via northern Shan State, on Tuesday.

“We strongly urge all parties in Myanmar to ensure the safety of rescue personnel and materials from China and other countries, and to ensure that the rescue transport channels are unobstructed,” Guo Jiakun, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, said at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday. 

The Chinese government has reportedly provided 100 million CNY ($13.8 million USD) worth of aid to Myanmar for earthquake relief.

Regime spokesperson Zaw Min Tun confirmed the shooting in Nawnghkio Township of northern Shan State, but accused the Chinese of entering a conflict zone without prior approval from Naypyidaw. He said that the regime would investigate the incident.

Nawnghkio, located 75 miles (121 km) northeast of Mandalay, came under Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) control on July 10. The ethnic armed group gave its approval to Beijing and escorted the convoy through its territory, according to the TNLA. 

China has dispatched at least 500 experts and rescuers to Myanmar since the earthquake on March 28. Chinese rescuers have saved at least nine lives as of Wednesday, the South China Morning Post reported. 

DVB data states that the death toll has now reached 3,885 as of Thursday. The earthquake has left 5,455 injured and 719 still missing, with rescuers saving 493 lives. The regime updated its figures, reporting 3,085 deaths, 4,715 injuries, and 341 missing persons.