The Chinese Government ordered the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) to shut down its liaison and anti-narcotic offices in Man Hai, China, just across the border from Mong Ko in northern Shan State.
An official from the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) Brigade 6 told K.N.G. that on 17 November the two KIO offices were surrounded by over 50 Chinese Army troops, police and border security forces. They said that the Chinese Government had ordered the closure of the offices and they then gave the staff two hours to vacate the offices, meaning that they did not have time to take everything from the offices with them.
The Chinese Government had given the KIO permission to open the offices in Mang Shi three years ago and five permanent staff members manned each office.
When 49 young Kachin men entered China from KIO held territory last month they were arrested by the Chinese police and handed over to the Burmese Government.
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited in English by Mark Inkey for BNI
