China lodges protest with Myanmar over consulate attack

China said Monday it had lodged a protest with Myanmar authorities after Beijing's consulate in the city of Mandalay was attacked last week with an explosive device.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military deposed the government of Aung San Suu Kyi and seized power in 2021.

China is a major ally and arms supplier to Myanmar's junta, but it also maintains ties with ethnic groups fighting the military in Myanmar's northern Shan state, according to analysts.

The blast occurred at China's consulate office in central Mandalay, south of the sprawling Royal Palace in Myanmar's second city, around 7:00 pm Friday (1230 GMT), local media said.

Beijing's foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian confirmed the blast Monday, adding "China expresses its deep shock at the attack and sternly condemns it".

"China has made stern representations to the Myanmar side," Lin said.

A statement from Myanmar's junta on Saturday night blamed "terrorists" for the incident, which it said it was investigating in cooperation with consulate officials.

It said "a blast" had occurred and that it was "raising the necessary security measures".

"About two feet of clay tiles of the roof of the two-storey building were damaged," the statement said.

China said Monday there had been no casualties and that it had "urged Myanmar to thoroughly investigate the attack" and "go all out to catch and punish the perpetrators in accordance with the law".

Beijing called on authorities to "comprehensively step up security for Chinese consular offices, institutions, projects and personnel in Myanmar, and prevent this kind of incident from ever happening again," Lin said.

The consulate general had "issued a security warning for all Chinese citizens, enterprises and institutions in Myanmar to continue to pay close attention to the local security situation, strengthen security measures and take proper security precautions," he added.

The Irrawaddy news outlet reported a grenade had been thrown at the compound, which is usually guarded by members of Myanmar's security forces.

And the Voice of Myanmar newspaper reported the consulate had been hit by an unidentified "explosion" without giving details.