BEIJING: China denounced the attack that occurred on its consulate in Mandalay on Monday (October 21) and urged Myanmar authorities to put forth every effort to capture the perpetrators, a foreign ministry official said.
Myanmar has been in chaos since February 2021, when the military ousted an elected civilian administration in a coup, suddenly halting the impoverished country’s growing progress toward complete democracy.
Last week’s event comes on the heels of an increase in anti-China sentiment on Myanmar’s social media, following China’s recent demands on rebel groups to stop battling the military rule.
An explosion at 5 p.m. on Friday inflicted no casualties but damaged the embassy premises somewhat, according to ministry spokesperson Lin Jian at a routine press conference.
China has made “serious representations” to Myanmar’s officials, demanding a thorough investigation and every attempt to harshly punish the culprits in accordance with the law, Lin said.
The Chinese consulate in Myanmar recently reminded all of its individuals, enterprises, and groups to be aware of the security situation and take appropriate precautions, he added.
A spokeswoman for Myanmar’s military government was not immediately available to comment.
China’s pressure on rebel groups to stop fighting has raised suspicions in Myanmar that China is backing the junta, alienating many who oppose military rule.
Some critics saw Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s August visit to meet with junta chief Min Aung Hlaing as an endorsement of the struggling military regime.
Some activists in the Southeast Asian country have expressed dissatisfaction with China’s stance, calling it a substantial impediment to the quest for democracy.