A joint crackdown from last year by China and Myanmar on telecom fraud centers in northern Myanmar has led to the arrest of more than 50,000 Chinese nationals.

The authorities took aim at the fraud centers following a surge in crime targeting Chinese citizens.

China's Ministry of Public Security said on Thursday that more than 1,000 suspects were arrested in the latest stage of the operation launched last year.

The ministry added that a total of over 53,000 Chinese nationals have been arrested so far.

It also said under the intensified crackdown, fraud perpetrators appear to have continuously relocated deeper into Myanmar.

It added that Chinese authorities will step up collaboration with Myanmar to eradicate them.

Security remains unstable in northern Myanmar, where conflict continues between the country's ruling military and ethnic minority armed groups.

Myanmar's military is reportedly facing an inferior position in its fights against the ethnic minority groups.

Observers say the military apparently supports joint operations with China to boost ties with the country in a bid to stabilize its rule.