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MYANMAR: Thousands of refugees fleeing fighting in northern Myanmar are said to have entered China in recent days, sparking a humanitarian crisis.
It's also posing a diplomatic dilemma for Beijing.
China has denied the influx of refugees, though Yunnan authorities said they have detailed plans for an emergency response, and are prepared to provide assistance.
Aid groups said at least 10,000 refugees have fled into China's southwestern Yunnan province due to fighting between Myanmar's military and the Kachin Independence Army.
Myanmar's government is eager to reach a ceasefire agreement with ethnic rebels as part of a deal to get the international community to lift economic sanctions.
Even though such an agreement has been struck with other rebel groups, the battles have continued in the country's northern Kachin state.
That's after a 17-year old ceasefire broke down in June last year.
China which has close ties to Myanmar has denied the influx of refugees, said that the numbers have been overstated.
Beijing has also described the people not as refugees, but as people who have entered China temporarily because of safety concerns.
China has often urged concerned parties in Myanmar to resolve their differences through peaceful consultations.
Yin Jing village straddles both China and Myanmar territory, and is known as "One Village Two Countries".
Despite tensions elsewhere along the borders, Chinese and Burmese inhabitants get along well with each other.
They are also free to come in and out of each other's territory.
They attribute this to long years of drinking water from a well, and the strong bonds formed through inter-marriages.
Yu Xiang, a villager, said: "We have a permit to come in and out of Myanmar. Many are like me who have families in Myanmar. I have an elder brother there, my father used to live in Myanmar, and my mother too has relatives there."
Li Fugui, customs checkpoint officer, said: "There are frequent interactions between inhabitants. There are no tall mountains and huge rivers to separate our two countries."
One of the priorities of China's Myanmar policy is to ensure stability in the region.
There are fears that any instability will have an adverse impact on border trade, and derail Chinese infrastructure projects in Myanmar.
Clearly, ensuring China's national interests while maintaining good neighbourly relations is expected to be an ongoing challenge for Beijing.
- CNA/ck
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