Updated

Police in northeastern China say two people have been killed and one injured in a pair of apparently related shooting incidents.

Lanxi county police spokesman Wang Yan'an said Thursday's shootings took place about three hours apart and were under investigation.

China exercises strict control over firearms and shooting crimes are extremely rare compared to stabbings and the use of homemade bombs.

Lanxi county is in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang, which has a tradition of hunting and lies along the border with Russia.