China donates $147,000 to restore peace in Rakhine

China has provided 2 million kyats ($147,058) to help restore peace and stability in Myanmar’s Rakhine state on Tuesday, the Xinhua News Agency reported Wednesday.

Speaking at the donation ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Hong Liang said he believes the aid will be useful in restoring peace and stability in the state.

Hong said that China will continue to assist the Myanmar government in carrying out the peace process in Rakhine state to strengthen the PaukPhaw (fraternal) relationship between the two countries.

Thanking China, Win Myat Aye, Myanmar’s minister of social welfare, relief and resettlement, assured Hong that his country would make good use of the donation.

“It shows China is a responsible country as it reflects China’s tradition of being Myanmar’s friendly neighbor,” Liu Yun, an expert on Myanmar issues, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday met with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi and discussed bilateral relations and the situation in Rakhine, Xinhua reported.

Wang said that the recent violence in Rakhine state is unacceptable and the Myanmar government’s efforts to maintain social stability is understandable. The issue is complex and sensitive.

It is imperative to reduce tensions, avoid harming innocent people, prevent the spread of the humanitarian crisis, and encourage and support Myanmar and Bangladesh in their efforts to find a solution through dialogue and consultations, he added.

China is willing to work with the international community to continue to play a constructive role, according

to Wang.