Myanmar apologises for bombs that killed five in China’s Yunnan province

Myanmar has accepted responsibility and apologised for bombs dropped on Chinese territory last month that killed five people, China's foreign ministry said yesterday.

The incident happened during clashes between Myanmar government forces and a rebel group called the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army. Thousands of refugees have fled to China since fighting flared on the Myanmar side of the border.

China was infuriated by the deaths in Yunnan province and warned of a "decisive" response if it happened again.

Meeting his Myanmar counterpart Wunna Maung Lwin in Beijing yesterday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said a joint team formed to look into the bombing had clearly ascertained what had happened.

Wunna Maung Lwin accepted the team's finding that bombs from a Myanmar aircraft killed Chinese citizens, and extended his apologies and offered compensation, the ministry said. "The Myanmar side will go after and punish in accordance with the law those responsible, and will also strengthen internal controls to avoid such an incident happening again," the ministry added.

It said Myanmar would work with China to ensure stability along their 2,000km border.