BEIJING, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday asked relevant parties in Myanmar to show restraint and properly handle the current situation.

    "As a neighbor, China is greatly concerned about the situation in Myanmar, and we hope that all parties in Myanmar show restraint and properly handle the current situation," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a regular press conference.

    Jiang called on parties concerned in Myanmar to prevent the situation from becoming more complicated and spreading, and not to affect the peace and stability in Myanmar and the surrounding region.

    China expects Myanmar could commit itself to improving the living condition of people, safeguarding the rapprochement among different ethnic groups so to resume peace and stability as soon as possible, said Jiang.

    Jiang also refuted reports that China has not exerted full influence on the issue.

    "We have noticed the untrue reports by particular media," said Jiang, "they are totally slanders at China out of ulterior motives."

    China hopes international media could make objective reports, "do not add fuel to the fire" and report the situation as it is, she said.

    U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon decided earlier Wednesday to send Ibrahim Gambari as his special envoy to Myanmar amid reports of turmoil in the Southeast Asian country.

    "China supports U.N. Secretary-General and his special envoy's mediating activities on Myanmar issue," the spokeswoman said.

    The international community should provide constructive assistance to Myanmar so as to alleviate the situation.

    Myanmar's military leaders imposed a curfew and banned gatherings of more than five people Tuesday after thousands of Buddhist monks and their supporters defied the authorities' warnings and staged another day of protests.