China has responded to heavy fighting between rebel groups and the ruling military junta with a military exercise lasting several days in the remote border region with Myanmar. Officially, Beijing speaks of a routine maneuver. However, during recent talks with high-ranking Myanmar officials, the country’s leadership expressed concern about security along the 2,100-kilometer border. In early November, the Chinese Foreign Ministry called on the military government in Naypyidaw to cooperate with China on border security. According to the provincial government of Yunnan, the maneuvers were to continue until Tuesday. On Tuesday, three Chinese navy ships also arrived in Myanmar for joint exercises.