BEIJING - China has conducted military exercises near its border with Myanmar, where fighting between the Myanmar army and ethnic rebels has flared in recent months. China's government said earlier this month that more than 20,000 people from Myanmar have fled into China amid renewed fighting. At least 30 people were killed this month in a single day in a Myanmar town in a Chinese-speaking region near the border. China has called for a cease-fire and says authorities in the border area have offered shelter and assistance to the refugees. The ministry said China informed Myanmar in advance of the drills.

Source: Bangkok Post March 29, 2017 05:48 UTC