Myanmar junta shoots at Chinese earthquake aid convoy

Myanmar’s junta said its troops fired warning shots at a Chinese Red Cross aid convoy, which had not informed the authorities it was in a conflict zone.

Myanmar’s junta said Wednesday that its troops fired warning shots at a Chinese Red Cross aid convoy, underlining the challenge of delivering relief amid a civil war as aid groups called for better access to help survivors of a devastating earthquake.

The military has struggled to run Myanmar following its coup against the elected civilian government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, reducing the economy and basic services including healthcare to tatters after civil war broke out.

Junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun said the Chinese Red Cross had not informed authorities it was in a conflict zone on Tuesday night, and a security team fired shots in the air after the convoy, which included local vehicles, failed to stop.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said the aid team and supplies were safe, and called on all parties in Myanmar to ensure the safety of rescuers.

“It’s necessary to keep transportation routes for relief efforts open and unobstructed,” Guo Jiakun told a press conference.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/myanmar-junta-shoots-chinese-earthquake-aid-convoy-rcna199233

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