Myanmar to hand over detained loggers to China, says FM

A group of 155 Chinese jailed for illegal logging in Myanmar will be handed over to China on Friday as part of a massive amnesty in the country, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Myanmar informed China of the plan on Thursday morning, said ministry spokesperson Hong Lei at a routine press conference.

The Myanmar government on Thursday granted an amnesty to 6,966 prisoners, including 210 foreigners. Under the terms of the amnesty, all 210 foreign prisoners will be deported from Thursday, "with a view to maintaining friendship and ties with related countries."

"We attach high importance to the measures taken by Myanmar," Hong said.

On July 22, the Myitkyina district court in northern Myanmar's Kachin State sentenced the loggers to more than 10 years in prison for violating a 1963 law against destroying public property.

"We maintained close communication with the Myanmar side on the handing over of these people after the court made the judgement," Hong added.