Yunnan Officials Visited Myitkyina
April 14, 2005

The Kachin Post

Over a hundred of government officials from China’s southwest Yunnan province last Saturday had paid three-days visit to Burma’s northern Kachin State to boost border trade and transportation projects implemented by Chinese companies, according to the Kachin Independence Organization.

An entourage of Yunnan officials led by Mr Kon Ku Chung, vice chairman of Yunnan Provincial People’s Congress, en routed to the capital of Kachin State Myitkyina via Laiza border pass as an invitation from commander of Burma Army northern command Maj-Gen Maung Maung Swe.

Currently, China is constructing two high-grade highways—Tengchong to Myitkyina and Zhangfeng to Bhamo—for better transportation to regional economic cooperation. China invests over 200 million Yuan (US $24 million) for two highway projects.

Mr Kon Ku Chung met separately with Lt-Gen N’ban La, the second deputy leader of Kachin Independence Organization, KIO, and other central committee members; second vice chairman Maj-Gen. Dr. Tu Ja, general secretary Col. Dr. La Ja and the head KIO’s Myitkyina liaison office Lt-Col Kumhtat Gam.

On Sunday, Lt-Gen Maung Maung Swe from Burma Army northern command hosted a dinner with his Chinese counterparts and representatives form KIO, New Democratic Army-Kachin and Kachin Defense Army.

In last February, Military Attaché of the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar Senior Col Ma Shoudong met with General N’ban La in Laiza, discussing about border trade and current political situation.

In January 2005, Mr. Li Jinjun, Chinese Ambassador to Burma, met with local KIO officials from a border village, Mai Ja Yang.