CNI News
12 November 2023

Reviews and discussions relating to what will be Chinese attitude to the Operation-1027 which the Three Brotherhood Alliance (AA, MNDAA and TNLA) is waging in northern Shan State are underway among political and military experts.

With the operation that was launched on 27 the October, battles are severely taking place in northern Shan State near the Chinese border and many IDPs fled to the Chinese side.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance launched their operation only after letting China know, Col.Khun Okka, an EAO leader, CNI News.

While seeing Chinese Special Envoy and Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

" I think they launched the operation only after letting China know. But China won't directly say yes or no. It might tell through Wa..The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) might take part in drafting the operation. That's why China, Wa and KIA might be at the back of the Three Brotherhood Alliance." he said.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance stated that it has already controlled Chin Shwe Haw, Phaung Sai, Theinni and Kyukote (Pangsai) in northern Shan State.

At the same time, Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing said that the Tatmadaw was carrying out to re-open the China-Myanmar border trade and would launch necessary counter-offensives.

It was found that there were common interests between the Three Brotherhood and China, Sai Kyi Zin Soe, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing troops participating in the Operation-1027 led by the MNDAA

" Mainly, their statements, their speeches, and their reports on media should be taken into account and there were groups that were committing trans-border crimes before these battles and the groups could not be taken action against effectively reportedly. There are things that are related to the Silk Road Project, the main project of China. Chinese pragmatism should be considered. The Three Brotherhood Alliance stated that they would welcome the implementation of peace process under the Chinese leadership early this year. So the Three Brotherhood Alliance is found to have connections of interests with China more or less." said Sai Kyaw Zin Soe.

China wanted Myanmar to have a stable government and according to its policy, China would not help the Three Brotherhood Alliance, Dr.Aung Myo, a Myanmar political commentator told CNI News.

" The China-Myanmar gas pipeline and fuel pipeline will be more important to China. It will be willing to talk with a stable government of Myanmar only. It won't be willing to talk with many governments such as Kachin government, Rakhine government or Palaung government. It is natural. Because China wants peace, it had offered Myanmar if it would be convenient to use one country two system. It would tell to try the system. But the situation has been less likely to implement the system up to now. So, China doesn't help the Three Brotherhood Alliance." said Dr.Aung Myo.

Myanmar EAOs are being active along the China-Myanmar border and there are a lot of Chinese investments in Myanmar reportedly.

On the other hand, parallel to the Operation-1027, joint forces of KIA, AA, ABSDF and PDF are waging operations in order to capture Tigyaint, Kawlin, Pinlebu, Banmauk, Tamu, Khampat, Homalin and Kalay regions and the battles are severely taking place between the joint forces and the Tatmadaw.

CNI News
12 November 2023

The goods that have been permitted to be exported through the Muse 105 Mile and Chin Shwe Haw border gates will be allowed through other gates, the Ministry of Commerce has stated.

Exporters who have got licenses to export their goods through the Muse 105 Mile and Chin Shwe Haw trade gates will be allowed to use other gates along the China-Myanmar border gates and the Myanmar-Thailand border.

Moreover, those who want to export by sea will be allowed reportedly.

However, Myanmar exporters would use Lweje and Myla, China-Myanmar border gates because other gates are more distant and more delayed, U Thet Zaw, an economic commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing the trucks at a border gate of the two countries

" Myanmar is mainly trading with Yunnan Province. If you export by sea, it will be much more distant. The closest to Yunnan is inland routes in Myanmar. Other provinces don't consume the goods from Myanmar. Yunnan is about the size of Myanmar. Myanmar is meeting the demand of Yunnan Province. So, if you export by sea, China-Myanmar border trade will be weak. Muse 105 Mile has lower transportation costs than other gates. Moreover, you can export goods on a large scale. It is difficult to export on a large scale through Lweje. The cost will be more. If the cost is more, prices will be high." said U Thet Zaw.

The trade value from the China-Myanmar border trade was about 300 million kyats each day in the past. However, because of the current battles, it is believed that a large amount of border trade could be lost.

Importers have been allowed to use other border gates. If they want to import by sea, they will be verified and allowed depending on each case, said in the statement.
If the ministry stated earlier, trader could make preparations, said traders. Currently, watermelon exporters are exporting through Lweje and Myla gates to China.

Lweje-Laiyang trade gate (Photo-Soe Tun)

" Our trucks can't enter the Chines side directly. We have to stop at Myla only where Chinese trucks come and carry our goods. At Lweje, our trucks can enter China. But there is no truck that directly goes to Lweje. We have to change trucks at Bamo. if you export through Lweje or Myla, the cost is higher. But there is a high demand for watermelon in the Chinese market, traders make a profit. At present, the watermelon price is about 20 lakh kyats in Lweje." said Ko Thitsar, a watermelon trader.

The goods imported from China are non-perishable construction materials and other products and although there is a delay on the road, it doesn't affect much to traders. However, because the goods exported from Myanmar are perishable foodstuff and crops, it might affect to traders.

Severe battles have been taking place between the Three Brotherhood Alliance in northern Shan State since 27th October 2023.

Due to the Operation-1027 waged by the Three Brotherhood Alliance along the Mandalay-Muse Pyidaungsu Road, the China-Myanmar border trade has almost stopped reportedly.

CNI News
11 November 2023

Although all the prices are going up gradually in northern Shan State due to severe battles taking place between the Tatmadaw and the Three Brotherhood Alliance in northern Shan State, it is convenient for the people from the basic class because philanthropic associations are helping reportedly.

The philanthropic associations in Muse are selling basic foodstuff at a lower price, philanthropic associations told CNI News. At present, the number of donors has decreased for the philanthropic associations and most of associations are carrying out in a self-help manner, an official from the Beautiful Heart Philanthropic Association, told CNI News.

" In spite of being convenient, some people can't come to the place where goods are sold at lower prices. They only buy and eat from the vendors who come in front of the house and sell on motorbikes. Prices are going up. But now the egg price has been stable. When the egg price was going up, the number of the people who imported eggs from the Chinese side has increased. And then the price has decreased. The grassroots were in trouble. In Muse City, motorcycle vendors arrive in every neighborhood. But gasoline price is very high as well." he said.

Muse township philanthropic associations are selling vegetables

Due to the battles between the Tatmadaw and the Three Brotherhood Alliance (AA, MNDAA and TNLA) in northern Shan State, the price of a bag of coarse rice has increased to 1.5 lakh kyats and the price of egg rose to 20,000 to 30,000 kyats for 10 eggs, said Muse residents.

When the commodity prices are high like this, rich people have bought and stored a lot of bags of rice.

Some rice shops sell six pyis of rice per head reportedly.

Moreover, Muse-based Kanlet Ku Nyi Philanthropic Association are selling a bag of rice (24 pyis) at 96,000 kyats, and a viss (3.6 pound) of potato at 1,200 kyats and a viss of tomato at 3,000 kyats and one pyi of rice at 4,000 kyats for the grassroots.

So, although the commodity prices are high, it still is convenient a bit for the grassroots, U Htay, chairman of the association told CNI News.

Muse township philanthropic associations are selling vegetables

 " Because the battles have not broken out in Muse as yet, there have been no big difficulties. Our association sells a bag of rice at 96,000 kyats, one pyi of rice at 4,000 kyats and ten eggs at 9,000 kyats. Because we are able to control some commodity prices, we don't have big problems. But phone lines have been cut. There are no battles in Muse, but the Muse residents are worried that the battles will break out. The difficulty is that those who are trapped in Muse want to go home. Those who were coming to Muse are also trapped on the way." he said.

MNDAA and its allies fought the Tatmadaw camps, police stations, township general administration offices and toll gates in Laukkai, Theinni, Muse, Mong Ko, Chin Shwe Haw, Naunghkio and Lashio Townships on 27th October.

The number of local IDPs due to the battles has been by the tens of thousands reportedly.

CNI News
11 November 2023

While implementing an export-based reserve rice storage system, companies that export rice have to sell a bag of rice for reserve rice at the price designated, Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) has stated.

A bag of rice was collected if a ton of rice was exported in the previous years, At present, not only it is the time when the rice appears plentifully, there also is no domestic demand for rice.

So, one bag per three tons is being bought from the companies exporting rice abroad in order to export more, U Nay Lin Zin, general secretary of the Myanmar Rice Millers Association, told CNI News.

" In the past we collected one bag per ton for reserve rice. But now one bag per three tons is collected because not only now is the export season, the rice also appears abundantly. The reason why we have bought reserve rice is that we have prepared to be able to sell rice to basic workers, the people and government employees at a lower price." he said.

Companies that export rice must deliver 25 percent of reserve rice to designated storage facilities within one week and the remaining 75 percent will be collected when necessary reportedly.

Companies must sell 25 percent of reserve rice that is consistent with designated qualification and standard at 62,000 kyats per bag in November, said in the statement. Myanmar Rice Federation collects reserve rice to help those who find it difficult to buy rice when the price is high due to natural disaster, an official for the Myanmar Rice and Paddy Association, told CNI News.

" MRF has collected reserve rice. It sold the reserve rice to the people at 2,500 kyats per pyi (4.375 pound) when the rice prices were going up a few months ago. MRF collected one bag when one ton was exported in the past. The price was negotiated with the market price. We have collected reserve rice in order to sell the people and the shops when the prices go up." he said.
If more rice is exported, farmers can sell their rice at a higher price. However, if reserve rice storage is reduced and more rice is exported, it probably will be difficult to control the rice market when the domestic rice prices go up due to a certain reason, those working on farmers' affairs said.

Necessary reserve rice should be bought in one go in advance without exercising an export-based reserve rice storage system, pointed out farmers and traders.

CNI News
11 November 2023

The State Administration Council (SAC) stated on 10th November 2023 that a military court sentenced former Lt. Gen Soe Htut to five years in prison for abusing his position and authority.

Former Lt-Gen Soe Htut directed to grant passports when companies asked for help to do business with Myanmar passport service with the green channel system by abusing his position and authority while he was serving as the Minister for Home Affairs.

In addition, because he who received bribes failed to maintain and supervise the actions inconsistent with the financial procedures in the management of the employee welfare fund of the Ministry of Home Affairs, he was charged with relevant criminal law sections and tried by a military court, said in the statement.

After that, he was sentenced to five years in prison. Moreover, those involved in the case of former Lt-Gen Soe Htut are being taken action against at the civilian courts and police officers who had anything to do with the case are being taken action against the police disciplines, the SAC reported.

CNI News
10 November 2023

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) made preparations in the Wa territory after which its main forces entered Chin Shwe Haw through the Namtit Bridge on 27th October 2023 and fought against the Tatmadaw there, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council.

He said the above at the meeting (3/2023) of the National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) on 8th November 2023.

The situations relating to the attacks conducted by the MNDAA and its allies in northern Shan State and the attacks by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the Arakan Army (AA) and the People's Defense Force in Sagaing Region were mainly discussed at the meeting.

" MNDAA made preparations in the Wa territory and its main forces entered Chin Shwe Haw through Namtit Bridge and fought against the Tatmadaw there on 27th October 2023. They attacked with drones and used a lot of drone bombs and their operation contained KIA, TNLA, AA and PDF terrorist organizations with MNDAA. Those who are mainly fighting are MNDAA and TNLA." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing at the National Defense and Security Council meeting held on 8th November 2023

The United Wa State Army (UWSA) that has controlled the Wa region and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) that has controlled Myla Township in eastern Shan State have announced that they would not fight for any side at the battles breaking out in northern Shan State.

MNDAA fought Chin Shwe Haw and at the same time its forces that entered secretly pierced and fought Kunlong. In the same way, TNLA also fought to cut the transportation line with Theinni and fired Lashio. Moreover, TNLA fought to cut the Mandalay-Lashio Road near Naunghkio. While MNDAA was fighting against the Tatmadaw in northern Shan State, KIA also conducted attacks in Kachin State, he said.

"Taking advantage of the situation, PDF terrorist insurgents came and attacked some places of Sagaing Region while the battles were breaking out in northern Shan State.  Together with the PDF terrorist insurgents, KIA and AA also participated in the fighting." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

While seeing Acting President U Myint Swe at the meeting of the National Defense and Security Council held on 8th November 2023

The reasons why the battles were taking place in northern Shan State were because MNDAA wanted to take power in Laukkai region again and TNLA was mainly trying to build Palaung State, said the Tatmadaw.

The Tatmadaw would carry out necessary security measures for the sake of peace, stability, rule of law and the people's lives and properties, said Commander in Chief of the Defense Services.

If the Tatmadaw didn't carry out to the best of its ability in relation to the battles taking place in the border area, the country might break into many small pieces and it was necessary to handle that issue carefully and systematically, said Acting President U Myint Swe.

At present, the Three Brotherhood Alliance (MNDAA, AA and TNLA) have stated that they have captured over 100 military camps of the Tatmadaw in Namkham, Theinni, Muse, Lashio, Naunghkio, Chin Shwe Haw, Kyukote (Pangsaing), Phaung Sai, Mong Ko, Kunlong Townships.

The Tatmadaw also has stated that it has been able to control its camps in northern Shan State and a lot of enemy troops were killed and injured.

CNI News

10 November 8, 2023

Myanmar workers in Thailand who have expired their MoU contracts have to come back to Myanmar-Thai border gates to renew. 

However, some of them don't come back to the border gates, Myanmar Embassy in Thailand stated. 

Those who don't come back to the gates will become overstayers, said in the statement.

So, if Myanmar MoU workers with full term have decided to enter Thailand again as MoU workers, they should come back to the border gates to renew, Ko Thargyi from the IBECSWO social welfare association, told CNI News.

" If the workers don't come back through an official channel, they will have no rights to re-enter Thailand. It will be better for them to go from an official channel. But they have their reasons. Those who come back like that have to pay 1,400 bahts for stamping fees. If so, they can re-enter. There is no problem for those who have their passports expired when they go back. Another thing, when they go back to Myanmar, They left their books with their relatives in Thailand. In Thailand, a guest is regularly allowed to stay for three months. When they come back through other channels, they take their books back. Mainly, it is convenient as long as a guest is allowed to stay for three months." he said.

Those who re-enter the Myanmar side with the U-Turn system

Myanmar MoU workers in Thailand have to enter Myanmar through the border gates when their MoUs expire. When they pass the gates, officials from the two countries conduct printing of entry and exit stamps and delisting.

Myanmar workers who didn't come back to the Myanmar side re-enter Thailand with MoU when Thai border immigration officials would find out they were overstayers. 

So, they will pay the fine, be limited for entrance or be taken action against, Myanmar Embassy has stated.

"Myanmar workers distant from Bangkok find it difficult to go to Bangkok to renew their passports and other documents. At the time of new labor registration, they have registered. Moreover, employers can't wait for his workers who will take time for renewal. So, they arrange with brokers. Brokers submit for the rights to stay and work for new workers. Workers have no rights to choose."he said.

At present Myanmar MoU workers don't have to go back to Yangon for renewal and they have to go to Myawady and Kawthaung for renewal, where officials provide service with one stop service.

CNI News

10 November 2023

The Tatmadaw was prioritizing to handle the places of military movements that can threaten Naypyidaw, Col.Khun Okka, an ethnic armed leader, told CNI News.

The Tatmadaw  was prioritizing military measures in Sagaing, Magway and Mandalay Regions and trying to control Karenni State, he said.

" The Tatmadaw is carrying out military measures as a priority in Sagaing, Magway and Mandalay Regions. Second priority is Karenni. It has also done a lot on the Karenni front. It doesn't prioritize very much the places such as Chin and KNU territories. The Tatmadaw seems to consider that it will be able to control them at any time. It will mainly handle the central elements that are threatening, I think." said Col.Khun Okka.

While seeing a place in the city of Naypyidaw

The battles have been breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the Three Brotherhood Alliance since 27th October 2023. Moreover, the battles are breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the KIA/PDF joint forces in Sagaing Region.

The Tatmadaw would mainly carry out to re-open the China-Myanmar trade route, Dr.Aung Myo, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" The Tatmadaw will mainly carry out to re-open the China-Myanmar border trade route. The rest cases are not that important for the Tatmadaw. There isn't any Tatmadaw battalion in Kawlin. But to the north of Kawlin there is a battalion headquarters in Wuntho that is over 10 miles away from Kawlin. To the south of Kawlin, there are about 1,000 Kant Balu militias. It's not that the Tatmadaw doesn't care that territory. Mainly, it will carry out to re-open the China-Myanmar birder trade route." said Dr. Aung Myo.

While seeing the guide map to get to the MICC-2

Northern armed organizations were fighting against the Tatmadaw, blocking the Muse and Chin Shwe Haw trade routes and the Tatmadaw would carry out necessary response measures, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council, at the National Defense and Security Council meeting held on 8th November 2023.

CNI News

9 November 2023

As the trade through China-Myanmar border gates such as Mang Wein, Kyin San Kyawt, Chin Shwe Haw has stopped, Myanma economy has been affected by 50 percent, said economic commentators and border traders. 

Because the Mandalay-Muse trade route (Pyidaungsu Road) cannot be used due to battles, it has been difficult for farmers. Moreover, as the trade route was interrupted, it would be difficult for the local people's livelihoods as well, U Thet Zaw, an economic commentator, told CNI News.

Myanmar was mainly exporting agricultural crops to China through China-Myanmar trade route and cattle are also being exported.

" Myanma economy has been affected by 50 percent due to the battles. The goods from the Chinese side cannot come to the Myanmar side and vice versa. So, border trade is hurt by the billion dollars. Mainly, we have to export agricultural goods during the season. If we can't export them in time, they will be damaged. because we can't stock them. Local people's livelihoods will be quite difficult. So, We must try so hard to recover the economy. In my opinion, the government should carry out as soon as possible to make the territories stable and peaceful and to make the battles end." said U Thet Zaw to CNI News.

While seeing the militia

Myanmar has not been able to export its goods to China through Muse and Kyim San Kyawt border trade. Moreover, fruit traders have to be exporting their goods through Lweje border gate in Kachin State and Myla border gate in eastern Shan State.

 Although the cost was about 60 kyats only for a truck with goods in exporting goods from Kyin San Kyawt gate, the current cost is about 100 kyats, Ko Thit Sar, a watermelon trader, told CNI News.

" We are currently exporting our goods to China through Lweje and Myla. The cost has increased by about three times. In the past, when we regularly went from Kyin San Kyawt to Wang Ding, the cost was about 60 kyats. But now,even truck fee from Thibaw to east Shan State is about 50 kyats. Duty is 400 yuan. The total cost including other expenditures is over 100 kyats." he said.

While seeing someone doing border trade

In the export of goods to China through Lweje and Myla, fruit only is being exported and other commodities such as rice, corn, various peas and beans, and aqua products have not been able to be exported.

However, because the journey is more distant and it takes longer, the quality of the fruit declines and the amount of damage increases reportedly. However, because of the demand for fruits from China, Myanmar traders can sell fruits at a high price and are making a profit, said traders.

Due to the battles between the Three Brotherhood Alliance and the Tatmadaw are taking place in northern Shan State, border trades at Mang Wein, Kyin San Kyawt and Chin Shwe Haw have stopped starting from 27th October 2023.