China, Myanmar begin joint probe into aerial bomb attacks

China and Myanmar have launched a joint investigation into the alleged bomb attacks by Myanmar air force which killed four Chinese citizens, with the Communist giant deploying more fighter jets and troops along the restive border.
"The bomb dropped by military plane is very clear. Myanmar has sent a task force for joint investigation," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said today.
Chinese and Myanmar working groups arrived at the restive border yesterday and began investigation. China accuses that one of Myanmar's warplanes crossed its border and dropped a bomb that killed four farmers.
China has lodged its serious protest with Myanmar through different channels and Myanmar has expressed sorrow for the Chinese casualties, saying it will investigate the incident and properly handle the aftermath, Hong said.

The conflict in north Myanmar's Kokang region has lasted for over a month, severely impacting the border region's peace and stability, he said, while asking conflicting parties to "take China's concerns seriously" and show restraint so as to restore the order at the border.
A bomb dropped by a Myanmar warplane hit a sugarcane field in the southwestern Chinese city of Lincang, which borders conflict-hit Myanmar, killing four people and injuring nine others on Friday, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

China has reacted strongly with both military and diplomatic channels.
While foreign ministry lodged protest with Myanmar, the military has deployed fighter jets to "track, monitor, warn and chase away" Myanmar military planes flying close to Chinese territory, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

State television today showed footage of deployment of heavy weaponry including missiles along the border as well as the damage caused by the bomb attack.
China has both the responsibility and ability to safeguard the stability of its border areas with Myanmar, Premier Li Keqiang said yesterday while Chinese fighter jets patrolled the border.
China's concerns rose as fighting between the rebel National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) headed by ethnic Chinese commander Peng Jiasheng and the Myanmar army intensified in recent months resulting in influx of refugees into China.
Peng had reached a peace accord with the Myanmar government which lasted until 2009.

The fighting again started recently prompting Myanmar to seek Chinese assistance to put it down.
In an interview with state-run Chinese daily Global Times, Peng denied any links with China, which is currently housing several thousand refugees who fled the fighting.