BEIJING , China ( CNN ) -- Some of the tens of thousands of refugees who fled to China to escape fighting in Myanmar are beginning to return home as tensions have eased , police said . Refugees from Myanmar sit with their possessions at a camp in Zhenkang , in southwest China , on Sunday . An estimated 37,000 people were displaced by the fighting , Meng Sutie , police chief in southern China 's Yunnan Province , told China 's state-run Xinhua news agency Sunday . The exodus of residents along the border grew to a flood last week as Myanmar government troops battled ethnic minority groups and their armies in the country 's northeast . The region has an estimated population of 150,000 . There were casualties on both sides of the border , according to Meng . Shells fired into Chinese territory killed one person and injured two others , while fighting in Myanmar killed a Chinese and wounded 13 more . In a rare criticism of Myanmar 's ruling military junta , Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said Friday that China hoped Myanmar could properly solve its domestic issues and safeguard the stability of its border with China , Xinhua reported . China has been providing emergency shelter , food and medical care for the refugees .
Some refugees from Myanmar returning home from China 's Yunnan province . Estimated refugees fled Myanmar from violence , Chinese officials said . Refugees fled what exiles said were insurgents fighting against government troops .