Refugees pour into China after Burma clashes
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Beijing China has called on Burma to maintain stability after tens of thousands of tribespeople in Shan state, in the remote north-east, fled into China as a result of fighting between Burmese troops and an armed ethnic group.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees estimated that between 10,000 and 30,000 civilians had fled the conflict. The fighting could raise tension between China and Burma, whose military junta looks to Beijing as one of its few diplomatic backers and a crucial source of investment. The flight of the refugees followed the deployment of Burmese troops in the Kokang area of Shan state, and the first clashes in the area for 20 years, according to reports. Kokang is home to many ethnic Chinese and Chinese nationals, many of whom run businesses and trade across the border. "This has been building for a long time," commented Aung Zaw, editor of Irrawaddy, a Burmese news magazine based in Thailand. "The army... is straining ties with China. Beijing's biggest concern is stability near the border, it is not pleased about what's happening now."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments