China urges calm in Myanmar amid rebel clashes

China said it was offering assistance to those fleeing the violence Beijing - AFP China on Thursday urged government troops and rebels in Myanmar to exercise restraint and said it was offering assistance to refugees who are fleeing the conflict by crossing over into China's southwest. "We are closely  following the situation on the border between China and Myanmar and call on the parties in conflict to remain calm and exercise restraint so as to avoid an escalation of the situation," foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.
"We urge them to resolve their differences through peaceful negotiations."
Deadly clashes between Myanmar troops and ethnic minority rebels near the Chinese border have spread with hundreds, possibly thousands, of people fleeing their homes, reports said Wednesday.
Heavy fighting around a large hydropower project being built in northern Kachin state to provide power to China has erupted sporadically for almost a week after soldiers tried to push back Kachin Independence Army (KIA) fighters.
Hong denied reports that Beijing was not allowing Myanmar refugees to cross the border into China.
"Since the outbreak of the conflict, some people on the border came to China to find their relatives and friends," Hong said.
"China has provided necessary assistance in accordance with standard practices."