CRI听力:Chinese Consular Team Arrives at Myanmar's Kachin State

A Chinese consular working group has arrived at Myitgyina, capital of Myanmar's northern Kachin state, to provide consular protection for Chinese citizens who have been detained for illegal logging.

The group is also working on verifying media reports that hundreds of Chinese citizens have been trapped in the area amid armed clashes between government troops and ethnic rebels.

The Chinese government has issued a call to Myanmar authorities to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals in that country.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei.

"China has required Myanmar to effectively protect the safety and legitimate rights of Chinese nationals. The Myanmar side says it attaches importance to China's concerns and is treating the detained Chinese nationals well. The Chinese embassy in Myanmar has sent personnel to visit those people and provide necessary assistance to them."

Heavy fighting erupted in northern Myanmar on Thursday after Kachin rebels ambushed a convoy carrying a regional minister.

Tang Xianying is a correspondent of Guangming Daily of China in Myanmar.

"The Myanmar government is conducting peace negotiations with rebel forces and had been hoping to sign a nationwide ceasefire on February 12th. But the renewed conflict in Kachin has cast a shadow over the prospect of the national reconciliation process."

The Katchin rebels, one of a large number of armed minorities in Myanmar, took up arms in 1961.