CNI News
15 September 2023
The number of Myanmar nationals who enter the Chinese side with one-time use Temporary Border Pass (TBP) daily is up to 700, said U Htay, chairman of the Humanitarian Aid Delivery Network, to CNI news agency.
Because people from Myanmar side were allowed to enter the Chinese side with TBP cards that are seven days valid starting from 4th September, the number of people from the Myanmar side who had entered the Chinese side has been over 8,000 to date reportedly.
Although the TBP card is given for travelling, Myanmar nationals go to work in the Chinese side. So, the number of people who are waiting to get the TBP cards is almost 10,000, said U Htay.
while seeing Myanmar citizens at the Muse border gate
" Passport book and TBP are not given for job, but for visiting and doing business. We still don't know how many people have been arrested. If the employers guarantee, these Myanmar people can work there. When they need labor force, they probably weigh their law. When the labors have increased now, a worker who was paid 3,000 in the past is paid only 1,500 to 2,000 yuans now. Although there is a market for skilled workers, it is not easy for ordinary workers. We don't want Myanmar people to go there like that. If they stay at guesthouses or hotels or rented houses, they will report the guest list at the ward and police station concerned. They will report the guest list in Chinese." he said.
When applying for the TBP, it is mainly necessary to have an original citizen registration card. Because the kind of national registration card has not been limited, anyone of Myanmar nationals holding citizen registration card can apply for TBP after giving not more than 2,000 kyats reportedly.
Because Myanmar people holding TBP cards are allowed to enter the Chinese side, some people working in Laukkai entered China and are changing their workplaces, said business people.
while seeing Myanmar citizens at the Muse border gate
" For the time being, there are not many travelers in Laukkai. As foreigners are not allowed to come there, job opportunities have decreased. Some workers there go to Muse. Many Myanmar workers have arrived at the Muse gate to work at Ruili and Kyel Gaung. And Many workers from Laukkai also are going to Muse to work in the Chinese side with the TBP cards. Myanmar people enter the Chinese side with the TBP cards and after seven days, they return and renew the cards." said U Zaw Zaw, chairman of the Northern Shan State Hotel Entrepreneurs Association.
Most of Myanmar people have to apply for the TBP card only at Nandaw Gate and Sinphyu and truck drivers and their helpers must apply at Man Wein Gate.
Although entering with the TBP cards has been allowed from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., only 300 people can be sent from one gate reportedly.
Applicants' hands are being marked with stamp to prevent selling tokens from brokers reportedly. If the TBP cards were issued from Mant Hero, Kyin San Kyawt and Pan Sai gates, it would be more convenient, which people suggested.
