Burmese Refugees Leave China
2009-9-1 10:55
Refugees who fled into China to escape conflict in northeast Burma continue to head home on Tuesday, September 1st.
But most are worried about returning to shops and homes they fear are looted.
Burma says the situation has returned to normal after heavy fighting between government troops and armed insurgents.
Activists and observers say the Burmese miliatary junta sent in its soldiers because it is trying to forcibly recruit rebel fighters for an army-run border patrol.
Some returning residents say they welcome an end to the militias that have long controlled Kokang, a heavily ethnic Chinese enclave controlled by local rulers.
But most feel the Burmese army is an alien intrusion that can’t be trusted.
[Yuan Zhishao, Burmese Refugee]:
"I am worried about the Burmese military and how they will rule us... I think most people have the same thoughts as me on this."
One refugee says that the situation has improved enough to return home.
[Wang Xiaolan, Burmese Refugee]:
"I did not go back yesterday because I wanted to wait for the situation to stabilize. Today I am returning with my family and also my little child."
Chinese troops on Tuesday continued to shepherd refugees onto trucks and buses which took them to the border gate.
Chinese guards at the border crossing are allowing Burmese citizens to return but are barring entry to Chinese nationals without special passes.
Chinese national Peng Zhiqiang owns a clothing store in Kokang.
[Peng Zhiqiang, Store Owner]:
"If everything is gone, I won't stay there anymore. There would be no future in staying there. It would not be safe there as well. If everything I have is gone, we will close our business there and leave."
China is one of Burma's few diplomatic backers and has deflected pressure from the West over the military regime's tough steps against pro-democracy campaigners.
