Locals say they can now transport clothing and consumer goods from the city of Kyagom, Yunnan Province, back to Muse, Shan State through the border gate. But it is not a commercial transport like before, and China has only allowed it to be transported on a small scale. This is reported from Yangon.
Muse residents told VOA that China has recently allowed the transportation of clothing and consumer goods through the Kyagom-Muse border gate. But like food, it is only allowed to carry the amount that one person can carry. That is why hundreds of people line up at Kyagom every day to cross into Myanmar, according to a transporter. He said that the lack of goods has caused prices to rise in northern Shan State townships, including Muse, due to the lack of movement of goods.
“If you can carry it, you can’t carry it just like that. You can only carry it by hand. Only those who have a Muse household and those who have Muse, Panseng, Namkham, and Meng Hero are issued red books. Only those who have a red book are allowed to carry goods. Some carry it by hand, some carry it on motorbikes. Some carry it on bicycles. Girls’ clothes are also taken out after the girls wear them. Flowers are also taken out after they hold the flowers. If you take out a headband, you have to tie it in your hair and go like that.”
Some also say that they have to carry it in small pieces, several times, to resell it. A Burmese man from Kyaw Gong said that two packs of cigarettes cost about 20 yuan and then the Chinese side pays for it.
The Chinese government’s office in Ruili, northern Shan State, has allowed the free transportation of kitchen vegetables and meat and fish from the Muse border gate on December 1, 2024. In Muse, there are Mengwen Gate, Nandan Gate, Although there are three Sinphyu Gates, the Mangwein Gate, which is mainly used for freight transport, is still closed. Currently, Sinphyu Gate is open for motorbikes and bicycles to transport goods. The Palace Gate is only open for people to enter and exit.
