Fighting eases on China-Burmese border

Residents who had fled across the border from Burma's Shan State into China's Yunnan province during the clashes, had begun to return to their homes, the official Xinhua news agency cited an unnamed official with the Yunnan foreign affairs office as saying.

 The report did not provide details, but a Burmese pro-democracy group said about 700 Kokang fighters including rebel leader Peng Jiasheng had been given refuge in China, on the premise that they surrender their weapons to Chinese authorities.

Burmese state media reported Sunday night that peace had returned to the area after border clashes last week claimed 14 Burmese police and left 11 injured.

Burmese TV said the government had welcomed back all Kokang who had fled to the Chinese side of the border, with the exception of Peng Jiasheng and four other top Kokang leaders.

 Between 10,000 and 30,000 refugees fled from Burma's Shan State into Yunnan's Nansan district in the last few weeks, the UN refugee agency UNHCR said.

 The influx came after fighting which followed a split within the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, as the Kokang army has been called since it signed a ceasefire with the Burmese government 20 years ago.

 The ethnic Han Chinese Kokang are one of a dozen minority groups who were previously fighting the Myanmar army for the autonomy of their region before agreeing to a ceasefire deal.

 At least Chinese died, and several others were injured when a bomb landed on the Chinese side of the border last week, the state-run China Daily reported Saturday.

 There were also reports of civilian casualties on the Burmese side.

 On Friday, China's Foreign Ministry called on Burma's ruling military junta to maintain stability in the region, and protect the safety and interests of Chinese citizens.

 Burma on Sunday apologized for Chinese casualties, thanked the Chinese government for its friendly treatment of Burmese residents, and promised to protect the safety and legal rights of Chinese citizens in its territory, Xinhua reported.

 The future for the Kokang troops who have fled into China is now unclear. China and Burma have strong diplomatic and business ties, and a mutual agreement of extradition.