China reopened all its border crossings to areas of Myanmar controlled by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) after the junta and MNDAA signed a peace deal.
A Chinese mediated ceasefire was signed between the MNDAA and the junta in Kunming on 18 January 2025, according to the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning. It was reached following the seventh round of talks between the junta and the MNDAA.
Following this, on 20 January, China reopened its border crossings to MNDAA controlled areas that had been closed for seven months. But, though the posts have reopened people are only being allowed to cross from China to the MNDAA controlled areas and not the other way, according to people in the MNDAA controlled border regions.
Talking of the border crossing between Pang Hseng (Kyu Koke) Town in Muse Township, northern Shan State and Wanding Town in China, a trader from Pang Hseng Town said: “The Pang Hseng to Wanding border crossing bridge reopened on January 20. According to the announcement, written in Chinese, the bridge will remain open for an initial period of one month.
“Only food and supplies that a person can carry by hand are permitted to cross. The MNDAA has not yet resumed stamping documents at the bridge and is currently only keeping a record of those entering,”
China closed all its border crossings to MNDAA controlled territory at the end of June 2024, after the Three Brotherhood Alliance, of which the MNDAA is a member, launched the second phase of its Operation 1027 offensive.
The border crossings closed by China included the crossings to the MNDAA controlled towns of Laukkai and Chinshwehaw in Laukkai Township and Pang Hseng in Muse Township.
Explaining who is currently allowed to use the border crossings between China and MNDAA territory the aforementioned trader from Pang Hseng Town said: “Only individuals from China are allowed to cross into Myanmar, while those from Myanmar are still not permitted to enter China. People with relatives on the Chinese side typically wait on the Myanmar side to receive goods brought by their relatives.
“Although it was announced that the bridge will be reopened for a month, the possibility of its closure at any time has raised concerns among locals. As a result, those delivering goods from China return immediately after unloading them on the Myanmar side.”
But currently, not all goods are allowed to cross from China into MNDAA controlled areas, only kitchenware, fruits, vegetables, and certain food items are allowed through the border crossings.
Similarly, the the United Wa State Army (UWSA) announced on 20 January that, following instructions from the Chinese embassy, it was once again allowing goods to be transported from UWSA-controlled areas to MNDAA-controlled areas following a near five-month ban.
Fuel imports from China through the border crossing from Manhkar in China to the UWSA-controlled town of Namtit in Hoppong Township resumed when that gate was also re-opened on 20 January.
