Mizzima

Officials from China and Myanmar discussed the trade route linking China, Myanmar and India which will connect Linchang District in Yunnan Province and the Indian Ocean at a meeting at the end of May.

China’s state-run Yunnan News reported that it expected to transport 10,000 containers of goods along this new trade route but merchants are skeptical about it.

The Linchang Mayor and Myanmar officials discussed this new trade route at a four-day Myanmar-China Trade Fair held in Naypyitaw that ended on 28 May.

The Chinese government designed this new trade route to reach the Indian Ocean by connecting Muse in Shan State to Kyaukphyu deep-sea port in Rakhine State. This will link with Linchang District in Yunnan Province, China. 

This link is referred to as a new trade route and China has been building a railroad since 2020 by connecting the Chinshwehaw border trade post in Myanmar. A new road will connect with Muse-Kyaukphyu road via Lashio starting from Chinshwehaw border trade post.

A total of 17 companies from Myanmar and China signed nine trade agreements related to this trade corridor.

Under these trade agreements, Myanmar will export mainly agricultural products to China and will import mainly household electrical appliances from China.

Earlier, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with Myanmar Military Council Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw on 2 May.

Mr. Qin Gang told the Myanmar junta chief that they would give development aid to Myanmar to help with this project. Chinese newspapers reported that Mr. Qin Gang told Myanmar leaders that they would give development assistance to help with the China Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) with help supplied for the agriculture, education and health sectors.