Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian Photo: VCG

China expressed deep shock at an attack at its Consulate-General in Mandalay, Myanmar, and strongly condemned the act, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian at a regular press briefing.

At about 5 pm on Friday local time, an office building of the Chinese Consulate-General in Mandalay close to the street was attacked with an explosive device. There was no casualty, but part of the premise was damaged, said Lin.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry and Embassy and Consulate-General in Myanmar activated the emergency response mechanism right away and quickly started handling the incident, said Lin.

China has lodged serious protests to Myanmar and urged the Myanmar side to get to the bottom of the incident, make all-out effort to hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to justice in accordance with law, fully strengthen security measures for Chinese Embassy, Consulate-General, institutions, projects and personnel in Myanmar, and prevent similar incidents from happening again, Lin noted.

The Myanmar side expressed shock and pain over the incident and said they have taken a number of necessary measures and will fulfill their commitments and obligations under international law and take up their major responsibility to protect the safety and security of Chinese personnel and institutions in Myanmar, Lin noted. 

The Chinese Consulate-General in Mandalay has recently issued a security alert, urging all Chinese nationals, businesses and institutions in Myanmar to continue to keep a close eye on the local security situation, strengthen security measures and take every precaution to keep themselves safe, Lin noted. 

Global Times