China’s military has deployed troops near the Myanmar border in Yunnan province this week amid concerns of potential spillover from intense fighting in a civil war on the neighboring side. The military’s Southern Theater Command announced the armed patrols to test their security capabilities in border areas. An alliance of ethnic militias in Myanmar has been challenging the country’s military in the northeast, resulting in five Chinese individuals being injured by stray artillery shells in January. To further enhance readiness, live-fire drills are scheduled from Tuesday to Thursday in four locations, including Ruili city, as stated by the Yunnan government. The units will engage in armed patrols and joint air-ground patrols to evaluate their speed of response, blocking tactics, control techniques, and coordinated strikes, according to the southern command’s statement.

Previous live-fire drills were conducted by the military near the Myanmar border in November. China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, emphasized his country’s opposition to chaos and warfare in Myanmar, as reported by Chinese state media. Despite China’s efforts to broker a cease-fire in January, the agreement collapsed in June following renewed attacks by a member of the Three Brotherhood Alliance. Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of Myanmar’s military government, has accused foreign nations of supporting the ethnic militias, hinting at China due to its historical ties with these groups. During a visit to Myanmar, Wang Yi conveyed China’s disapproval of attacks in Shan state and expressed the hope that Myanmar would ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and projects in the country. In response to the escalating tensions, the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar advised its citizens to heighten security measures and avoid conflict areas or consider returning to China for safety.