CNI News
28 December 2023
The Chinese border pass red book through Muse is being issued to those on the Muse household list only and this policy should be relaxed, some social assistance associations and residents told CNI News.
The red book (border pass) is valid for one year.
Currently, the red books are being issued to those on the Muse household list only and others are issued the temporary border pass (TBP) and they are allowed to enter China through Nandaw, Sinbyu and Mang Wein Gates.
TBP is valid for one week only and at present, as the number of IDPs or the people who want to enter the Chinese side to make a living has increased, the policy relating to the red book should be relaxed, U Sein Hla Aung, vice chairman of the Kan Let Ku Nyi Philanthropic Association, told CNI News.
" In fact, at a time like this, the red books should be issued to a lot of people, charging a suitable fee, for example 10,000 or 30,000 kyats. Because the TBP is valis for one week, After you spend six nights in China, you have to return. There are hundreds of thousands of migrant workers. After returning to Myanmar, they have to wait in line to get the TBPs again. You have to get up at about 4:00 a.m." he said.
While seeing the temporary border pass
The red book is issued with the endorsement of the office of the Department of Immigration, Muse District, Shan State. 500 kyats is charged for a red book and it can be got within office hours reportedly.
Due to the battles breaking out near Muse at present, the number of people who enter China with TBPs reached until 7,000 from one week to 10 days.
Although the people who want to go to the Chinese side from the Myanmar side have increased, China receives only 6,000 people a day reportedly.
" As the battles are breaking around Muse, Muse residents are worried and enter China. Many Muse residents are going to the Chinese side. Many workers are returning from China each day. But those who return from China have been few a bit. Some people have to be staying there in every possible way." said a Muse resident to CNI News.
70 percent of the foodstuff that was being mainly consumed in Muse was coming from the other parts of Myanmar in the past. However, at present, some bridges on the Mandalay-Muse Road have been damaged, basic foods are being imported from China, according to Muse residents.
While seeing Myanmar citizens who will go to the Chinese side
Although the price of Paw San Hmwe rice was about 200,000 kyats per bag only in the past, now has been over 300,000 kyats reportedly.
In the same way, the price of peanut oil is over 200,000 kyats per 10 visses (1 viss=3.6 lb). The highway bus or the car fare is about 300,000 kyats for a person if he goes to Mandalay from Muse, a Muse resident told CNI News.
" Because the battles are breaking out, foodstuffs coming from many parts of the country can't reach Muse. Muse residents have to use the foodstuffs and fuel. coming from China. The prices have gone up. Because it's difficult for philanthropic associations to help the people, everyone is in trouble. As electricity and tap water are not available now, a barrel of water is paid until 50,000 kyats instead of 10,000 kyats." he said.
Philanthropic associations helped the people by selling basic foods at lower prices starting from November after the battles started in northern Shan State.
However, as territorial instabilities have worsened, the associations have suspended their work reportedly.
