China condemned an attack on its consulate in Myanmar’s second largest city Mandalay, during a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the capital Beijing on Oct. 21.
Lin Jian, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, urged Myanmar authorities to make every effort to conduct a thorough investigation and to arrest the perpetrators, who carried out the attack on the consulate in Mandalay’s Chanmyathazi Township on Oct. 18.
He added that China has lodged “serious representations” with the military regime in Naypyidaw, which seized power after the 2021 coup. This attack follows a surge in anti-China sentiment on social media in Myanmar, following its pressure on ethnic armed groups to halt their fighting against the military.
The civilian-led National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Foreign Affairs made an announcement shortly afterwards condemning the attack on China’s consulate. A Mandalay People’s Defense Force (PDF) spokesperson told DVB that it was not responsible. Regime officials said that an investigation is underway into an explosion at the consulate. No casualties were reported.
Min Aung Hlaing will reportedly make his first visit to China, since the coup, next month.
REUTERS
