KACHIN STATE – As a result of the discussions between China and the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO), all the border gates between China and Myanmar in the territory controlled by KIO have been reopened, according to a KIO source based in Laiza.
“The China-Myanmar border gates controlled by KIO/KIA were reopened this morning (December 13). It is a result of the discussions between the KIO leaders and China in Kuming. The border gates were agreed to be reopened according to the discussions on border trade,” explained the KIO source.
The KIO representative team led by KIO Chair General N’Ban La visited China for discussions on December 8. It is said that the discussions are still ongoing and the team has yet to return to Laiza.
The border gates reopened in the KIO controlled territory included the gates at Laiza, Lwelkyal and Maijaryang and it is said that all remaining border gates in the KIO controlled territory will be reopened.
China unilaterally shut down the border gates after the gates were captured by KIA and the gates are only reopened after this latest round of discussions, explained the KIO source.
Colonel Naw Bu, the spokesperson of KIO, was contacted to ask about the details of the situation but has yet to give an answer.
