Beijing confirms Chinese casualties in Myanmar clashes

Beijing confirms Chinese casualties in Myanmar border conflict; expresses "strong dissatisfaction" and lodges "solemn protest". China demands all parties cease fire and take measures to protect Chinese citizens. Senior diplomat urges junta to ensure safety of Chinese border area residents.

Beijing on Tuesday confirmed there had been Chinese casualties after ethnic armed groups fighting Myanmar's junta seized outposts in the country's north along the border with China.

China's foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin did not say whether the Chinese were killed or wounded, or where precisely the incident had taken place.

Local media in Myanmar reported on Saturday that one Chinese person was killed and another two wounded after the military shelled the town of Laiza, home to the headquarters of ethnic armed group the Kachin Independence Army.

The reports said one shell had landed on the China side of the border.

On Tuesday, Wang said Beijing "expresses strong dissatisfaction with the escalation of the armed conflict and the casualties caused to Chinese personnel".

China, he said, "has lodged solemn protest with relevant parties" and is "paying close attention to the conflict situation in northern Myanmar".

"China once again demands that all parties involved in the conflict in northern Myanmar immediately cease fire," Wang said.