Myanmar refugees seek shelter in China

World Today

Thousands of Myanmar civilians are still coming and staying near the border town of Nansan in southwest China’s Yunnan province, following recent clashes between government soldiers and militants in northern Myanmar.
CGTN’s Zheng Yibing reports.


Myanmar residents are seeking shelters near the Chinese town of Nansan. Besides efforts by the Chinese government, some volunteers are providing humanitarian aid to people fleeing violent conflict across the border.

This is one of the shelters for Myanmar residents crossing into Chinese territory. They have been provided with basic necessities, and a certain sense of security, but their fate certainly remains uncertain. And the stray bullets and shells coming over the border from the conflict zone are just adding to this.”

Sporadic gunfire can be heard in the distance, but these Myanmar residents seem unperturbed. Many arrived here last week. Some have been here for more than three years.

With an uncertain future, the people receiving aid have the simplest wishes.

“My biggest desire is to have a new tarp and food,” said one of the residents.

Their dream is to return home. Some have tried returning to Myanmar, but had to come back again.

Another resident said, “I long to go home, but right now there is no peace, and I can’t go back.”

Now that they have basic life necessities, these people can take a pause and breathe for a little while, as the violent clashes continue back home. With the rainy season approaching, things won’t be getting any easier any time soon.