22 November 2016

News Story: Border trade activities stop due to conflicts in Myanmar's northern state

YANGON, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Border trade in Muse, Myanmar's northern Shan state bordering China, has stopped due to the outbreak of military conflicts, local media reported Monday.

At present, no traffic is allowed to pass through the route near Muse, Kutkai and Lashio townships which are the economic centers of Shan state as the bridges along the route were destroyed.

Local traders are worried about when the traffic will resume as commodities such as fruits to be exported to China will become rotten if they are delayed to be transported, said a local trader.

The over 800-strong forces of the armed groups in alliance, namely the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Kokang's Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), began their coordinated assault in divided forces Sunday before dawn with small and heavy weapons which lasted for several hours.

Read the full story at Xinhua