China consulate in Myanmar hit with explosive device

China’s consulate in Myanmar’s Mandalay city was attacked with an explosive device, local media said on Saturday, adding that no deaths or injuries were reported.

The blast occurred at the consulate office in central Mandalay, south of the sprawling Royal Palace, around 7pm local time on Friday (12:30 GMT Friday).

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.

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

A Myanmar official in Mandalay confirmed there had been “an incident at the Chinese consulate office compound in Mandalay late evening yesterday”.