Hundreds of Chinese loggers and log-trucks have sneaked into logging forests west of Salween River in northeast Burma despite being cautioned not to do so by the Chinese government, said local sources.
Ignoring the warning of the Chinese border guard force not to enter Burma for any business because there could be strife in Burma soon, Chinese loggers are entering northeast Shan State for timber and charcoal business, said border sources.
Chinese citizens from east of Burma have been told to return home by the Chinese border guard force as of late August after the military conflict between Kokang rebels and Burmese soldiers in northeast Shan State. Cross border travel was also discouraged.
092509-manghai-refugeeSince the last week of October, about 300 log-trucks and about 700 loggers crossed Mongkoe border gate in northeast Shan State opposite Manghai border town in China's southwest Yunnan province and entered different logging forests, said a resident of Mongkoe.
Logging activities in the forests in northeast Shan State now involves 11 businessmen. Cooperation is being provided by local militia groups, which have been granted logging permits by Burma's ruling junta, residents of Mongkoe added.
The main logging areas are the forests along the west of Salween River in northeast Shan State including the forests close to Lashio, Kutkai and Loikang, said residents of those areas.
Since early this month, an average of five to 10 trucks loaded with timber are heading for temporary log camps on the Chinese border town of Manghai every night, said eyewitnesses. A truck can carry between 10 to 12 tons of timber.
Mongkoe border gate is manned by Burmese soldiers from the Namtu-based Light Infantry Battalion No. 324. They collect Chinese Yuan 1,800 (US$265) per truck, which come back to the China border with timber, said sources close to the border gate soldiers.
Currently, about 70 trucks have arrived in the forests near Hpawng Seng, said local people. The loggers procure white charcoal from trees for export to Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea, said residents of Hpawng Seng.
White charcoal production is unusual and was never heard of in these areas in previous years, said local people.
Many ready-to-export boxes of white charcoal are also being transported to Hpawng Seng. Businessmen from China, Taiwan and South Korea are behind the production of white charcoal, said sources close to them.
Every year, Chinese businessmen produce tens of thousands of tons of charcoal in Mongkoe, Hpawng Seng and Pangsai for domestic sale and export, border sources said.
An eyewitness told KNG today smoke is coming out from every forest around Hpawng Seng because of production of white charcoal. Local people are living under a cloud of smoke.
About 20,000 tons of timber from northeast Shan State were transported to Manghai from October, 2008 to May, 2009, said timber traders in Manghai.
