Myanmar rebels shut trade route to China

Myanmar rebels' takeover of two towns and a major road in the northern border with China has disrupted overland trade between the two countries.

The blockage to key transport arteries is already leading to higher prices in markets and hampering Myanmar junta's ability to send reinforcements to tackle the rebel offensive and retake Chinshwehaw and Muse in Shan state.

The Chinshwehaw and Muse crossings carried more than a third of the $5.32 billion in border trade with Myanmar's neighbors from April to the start of November this year, according to commerce ministry figures.

"We haven't seen any (goods) trucks since the fighting started" on 27 October, a resident of Muse town on the border with China told Agence France-Presse.

"There is no trade crossing," they said, requesting anonymity for security reasons, adding that artillery and gunfire were heard regularly from the town.

Hundreds of trucks a day normally pass through, taking fruit and vegetables into China or bringing back electronic equipment, medicine and consumer goods.

Last week, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army posted footage of its fighters raising their flag at the border gate of Chinshwehaw.

The junta later admitted it had lost control of the town.                    

WITH  AFP