YANGON - The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar issued a statement Sunday night, expressing grave concern over the outbreaking of conflicts in northern Myanmar.

The statement urged all parties in the conflicts to exercise restraint by taking concrete and effective measures for an immediate ceasefire so as to resume peace in the China-Myanmar border area as soon as possible.

The embassy statement reminded the Chinese citizens in Myanmar to watch out for their own safety by avoiding going to those conflict areas.

Since early Sunday, a fighting between the Myanmar government forces and some domestic ethnic armed groups has been going on in the northern part of the country near the China-Myanmar border.

To escape the conflicts, some Myanmar inhabitants in the border area have fled to the Chinese territory. For humanitarian consideration, the local Chinese government has taken in those who have crossed the border and sent the injured ones to hospitals for medical treatment, the statement said.

The embassy has been watching the situation closely and asked the those who need help to contact the embassy in Yangon or the Consulate-General in Mandalay, according to the statement.