China to play constructive role in Myanmar peace process

　　BEIJING, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- China will continue to play aconstructive role in promoting the peace process in Myanmar, aForeign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

　　China has always respected the sovereignty and territorialintegrity of Myanmar, said spokesperson Hua Chunying at a routinepress briefing.

　　She said China will never allow any organizations or individualusing Chinese territory to undermine China-Myanmar relations aswell as the stability of the border areas.

　　Hua made the remarks when asked to confirm whether China haslinks with the Kokang ethnic army.

　　The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) launchedattacks on several government outposts in Kokang region, Myanmar'snortheastern Shan state, on Feb. 9.

　　The government terms MNDAA as Kokang renegade groups. Thebattlefield mainly covered areas of Laukkai and Kongyan.

　　During the week-long clashes, the government forces carried outfive air strikes, claiming 47 of their forces lost their lives with73 others being wounded in the heavy fighting with MNDAA over thepast few days.

　　"We hope the conflicting parties in Myanmar to show restraint,avoid escalation of the situation, and try not to affect thestability of the China-Myanmar border and the security of theChinese side," said Hua.

　　China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting thepeace process in Myanmar according to the will of the Myanmar side,she said. Enditem