Myanmar diplomats visit refugees in Yunnan

KUNMING - Two former Myanmar ambassadors to China have toured camps in Southwest China's Yunnan province for refugees of armed conflict across the border in Myanmar's Kokang region.

Accompanied by Chinese officials, U Tin Oo and U Sein Win Aung visited the camps as well as Chinese families hosting the refugees on Friday.

U Tin Oo said they are representing the Myanmar government, which is grateful for China's help and will try to stabilize the situation in northern Myanmar so its citizens can return home as soon as possible.

Conflicts broke out between government forces and the the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army in the Kokang region in early February, forcing residents to seek refugee in neighboring Yunnan province of China.

The Yunnan border city of Lincang has seen over 60,000 refugee arrivals since then, and China has provided temporary settlements and food, medical and quarantine services to them, according to Li Jiheng, Yunnan's Communist Party chief.