China has refused to condemn the government in Burma over the Rohingya crisis and claimed foreign intervention does not work.

The international community has widely condemned the military response to an incursion by Rohingya militants, which has seen around 600,000 refugees flee from Burma into neighbouring Bangladesh.

China, a powerful neighbour to Burma, said it supported the country’s efforts in "safeguarding peace and stability".

Drone footage shows thousands of Rohingya Muslims fleeing Myanmar

Guo Yezhou, vice minister of the China’s International Department, said Beijing condemns "violence and terror acts", apparently referring to the Rohingya militant attacks that sparked the Burmese military “clearing operation”.

But numerous Rohingya refugees have described being subject to horrific violence, including against unarmed men, women and children, which the UN has described as “a textbook example of ethnic cleansing”.

Without citing examples, Mr Guo said: “Based on experience, you can see recently the consequences when one country interferes in another. We won’t do it.”

China supports "Myanmar's efforts in safeguarding peace and stability in this region and hoped all areas, including Rakhine state, will realise peace, stability and development," Mr Guo told reporters at the Communist Party National Congress.

He added: "China and Myanmar are friendly neighbouring countries joined by rivers and mountains. China will be affected if there's any unstable situation in Myanmar."

The two countries are also connected by an oil pipeline, which supplies China's landlocked Yunnan province. The 479-mile pipeline starts at the Bay of Bengal in Rakhine state in western Burma.

Rohingya refugees – in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Rohingya refugees – in pictures Rohingya refugees – in pictures A young girl and a baby wade through mud after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh from Burma on 10 September Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees – in pictures Rohingya refugees walk through a camp in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh after arriving from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees – in pictures A young Rohingya refugee gathers firewood after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees – in pictures Rohingya refugees wait for sacks of rice to be distributed in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees – in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees arrive on a boat in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh after crossing from Burma on 8 September Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees – in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees react after being re-united with each other after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh on a boat from Burma Getty Rohingya refugees – in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees walk along the remains of a road after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh on a boat from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees – in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees wade through water after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh by boat from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees – in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees wade through water after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh by boat from Myanmar Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees – in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees stand in the rain after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh by boat from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees – in pictures Indian children hold placards and shout slogans during a protest against the alleged persecution of the Rohingya Muslims in Burma EPA/Raminder Pal Singh Rohingya refugees – in pictures Supporters of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC), an Islamic organisation, listen to their leaders' speeches against Burma's persecution of Rohingya Muslims, during a demonstration in Karachi Reuters/Akhtar Soomro Rohingya refugees – in pictures Hundreds of Iranians take part in a protest against violence in Myanmar after weekly Friday prayers, in Tehran EPA/Abedin Taherkenareh Rohingya refugees – in pictures Indonesian Muslim activists hold placards and shout slogans during a protest against the alleged persecution of the Rohingya minority in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia EPA/Ali Lutfi Rohingya refugees – in pictures Members of an Islamic organisation shout slogans against the Burma government during a protest in Dhaka, Bangladesh EPA

China has consistently argued against intervention or condemnation of Burma, in contrast to Western states that have discussed the prospect of sanctions.

At a UN Security Council meeting last month, Britain, France and the United States demanded an end to what they called ethnic cleansing, while China's ambassador called for patience.