Nearly a month after Kachin State’s border trading posts with China reopened, Chinese fuel tankers have resumed entry, though strict trade restrictions remain in Kachin Independence Army (KIA)-controlled areas, locals reported.

After more than a year of closure, the China-Kachin border reopened about a month ago, and fuel tankers, meeting high regional demand, are now returning to Kachin State, a Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) official said.

KIO/KIA spokesperson Colonel Naw Bu said fuel tankers have begun entering via the Laiza-Nabang Road, though their numbers remain limited.

“There’s some fuel coming in from the Laiza-Nabang route. We’ve heard it’s for use by certain companies, but we can’t say for sure if any of it is for sale. So far, there haven’t been any imports of batteries or electronic goods,” he told NMG.

Although most border posts, including Laiza, Kan Paik Ti, Lweje (Loije), Pang War, Hpimaw and Manweinggyi, have reopened, the local economy remains sluggish due to China’s ongoing restrictions on exported goods, locals reported. All of these border gates reopened at midnight on October 24.

With China’s export restrictions still in place, mainly construction materials and basic consumer goods are currently entering Kachin State.

While the return of some fuel may benefit Kachin State’s border areas, trade has not picked up as expected, as China continues to restrict exports of advanced electronics and batteries.

“The night the gates reopened, everyone was really happy, hoping it would make life easier for people in the border areas and across Kachin State. When the gates were closed, goods were scarce and prices were very high. We’re hoping prices will go down now that the gates are open again,” a Lweje resident said.

Although locals had hoped reopening the border gates and allowing more imports would lower prices, China continues to restrict the types of goods it exports. While Chinese traders frequently cross into Myanmar, travel from Myanmar to China remains limited.