China
Myanmar-China trade halted amid fierce fighting in Shan state
Trade across Myanmar’s shared border with China has ground to a halt amid a six-week offensive by ethnic rebels fighting junta troops in the country’s Shan state, according to merchants, causing an estimated loss of more than US$500 million in commerce.
Since the Arakan Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army launched Operation 1027 – named after the Oct. 27 military actions that started it – as part of the “Three Brotherhood Alliance,” junta troops have been on the retreat in many areas, leading junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing in late November to issue a rare acknowledgement of the rebel’s successes.
After fighting began, merchants told RFA Burmese, trade ceased at Muse and Chinshwehaw – two key border towns positioned across from southwest China’s Yunnan province.
“Trade has totally stopped there – only hand couriers are seen at the border gates, carrying traditional foods,” said a merchant in Muse who, like others interviewed for this report, spoke to RFA on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.
There were no civil servants to process cross-border trade left in the trade zone, he said. “Fighting breaks out every once and a while, lasting for 10-15 minutes each time.”
Prior to the offensive, the value of bilateral trade at the two border towns was more than US$10 million per day, according to junta’s Ministry of Commerce data. So in the 50 days since the start of “Operation 1027,” that would amount to more than US$500 million in losses.
Corn, rice, cotton, machinery
There are two major border gates — Muse-Mang Wein and Kyin San Kyawt — used for bilateral trade at the two border towns, but neither is open amid the clashes. The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, or MNDAA, now controls Kyin Sang Kyawt, where nearly 100 trucks were destroyed by military shelling on Nov. 23.
Myanmar exports agricultural goods to China through the Kyin San Kyawt border gate in Chinshwehaw that include corn, rice, rubber, black sesame, dried elephant foot yam, green gram and groundnuts, and imports cotton, raw plastic, machinery, chemical fertilizers and medicine.
Myanmar’s exports through the Muse-Mang Wein border gate in Muse include eel, crab, prawns, cotton, rubber, corn, peanut, groundnuts, rice, broken rice and turmeric, while imports consist mainly of fuel and machinery.
Area aid workers said at least 10 civilians, including children, have been killed in the fighting during the offensive.
A merchant at Chinshwehaw told RFA that commodities are stranded at the border gate.
“Commodities from the Chinese side were sent back as they blocked the border gate,” she said. “But Chinese goods on our side have sat stranded in the fields and warehouses. We are waiting to pay taxes.”
The costs associated with the transportation of goods have skyrocketed during the conflict, a third merchant told RFA.
“The cost of transporting goods on a 17-ton truck on the route from [Shan state’s] Mongla township to Mandalay [800 kilometers, or 500 miles to the east] was 7 million kyat (US$3,330),” he said. “In Chinshwehaw, the cost has increased by more than four fold. Fuel prices have also increased.”
Both merchants and farmers have suffered losses, and more than 1,000 common laborers have lost their jobs at the trade zones, said residents and merchants.
No end in sight
Li Kyarwen, the spokesperson of the MNDAA, said that it isn’t possible to restore bilateral trade in northern Shan state anytime soon.
“During the ‘revolutionary period,’ due to the lack of peace and security, business can’t be resumed immediately,” he said.
But merchants warned that if the border gates don’t reopen by the end of December, there will be a shortage of Chinese commodities, “and prices will surely soar.”
Attempts by RFA to contact the junta’s Ministry of Commerce for comment on the halt to border trade went unanswered.
Reports of the closed checkpoints came a week after junta Foreign Affairs Minister Than Shwe met with Shi Yugang, the deputy secretary of the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee during a visit to China, at which the two discussed border trade issues.
While the junta’s peace negotiation committee has held talks with the Three Brotherhood Alliance to end all conflict in Shan state near the border, little progress has been made and fighting continues daily.
Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
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Business
China and the UK Resume Economic and Financial Discussions After Six-Year Break
China and Britain resumed economic talks after six years, aiming to improve relations. Chancellor Reeves seeks cooperation but raises concerns over Russia’s support and Hong Kong’s civil liberties.
Resumption of Talks
Taipei, Taiwan (AP) — China and the United Kingdom have reignited economic discussions after a six-year pause, spurred by British Treasury Chief Rachel Reeves’ recent visit to Beijing. The Labour government aims to mend strained relations with China, the world’s second-largest economy. Reeves met with Chinese leaders and underscored the necessity for a "stable, pragmatic" partnership, emphasizing collaboration on mutual interests while maintaining transparency in disagreements.
Economic Collaboration
During her talks, Reeves sought to address key issues such as reducing economic support to Russia and advocating for basic rights in Hong Kong. Both nations signed agreements expected to infuse £600 million ($732 million) into the U.K. economy over the next five years. These agreements target crucial sectors including finance, with Reeves emphasizing that this renewed engagement may generate up to £1 billion for the U.K.
National Security Concerns
While seeking better ties, there are mounting concerns regarding national security and human rights abuses in China. Critics from the opposition have questioned the balance between economic opportunities and safeguarding Britain’s interests. Reeves acknowledged the importance of national security but highlighted the need for pragmatic relations with global partners, stating that ignoring China is not a viable option for the U.K.’s economic future.
Source : China and the UK restart economic and financial talks after a 6-year hiatus
China
Indonesia Needs to Take a Critical Stance on China’s Global Order Vision
During his visit to China, Indonesian President Prabowo secured $10 billion in investments and issued a Joint Statement, raising concerns about Indonesia’s neutrality amid China’s global vision and territorial claims.
Indonesian President’s Visit to China
During his visit to China from November 8 to 10, 2024, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto secured a remarkable US$10 billion in investments and issued the Joint Statement on Advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This document has raised eyebrows as it suggests alignment with China’s global vision, potentially undermining Indonesia’s traditionally impartial stance among major powers. Notably, it includes discussions on joint development in areas with overlapping territorial claims, despite Indonesia being a non-claimant in the contentious South China Sea.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
President Prabowo considers China a significant partner, reflecting on centuries of bilateral collaboration. This visit highlights Indonesia’s commitment to enhancing cooperation across various sectors, including technology and green energy. China also pledged support for Prabowo’s free meal program, which is part of Indonesia’s larger Food Supplementation and School Feeding initiative, reinforcing the ties between the two nations.
Implications of the Joint Statement
The Joint Statement emphasized shared aspirations for the future but also raised concerns about Indonesia’s strategic positioning. By commending China’s narrative, particularly the concept of a "community with a shared future," Indonesia may inadvertently compromise its neutrality amid major power rivalries. Given the complexities surrounding this language, it is crucial for Indonesia to approach such statements carefully to uphold its independent foreign policy.
Source : Indonesia must be critical of China’s global order vision
China
Cross-Border Data Transfers: New Draft Guidelines Clarify Certification for Personal Information Protection
China’s draft measures for personal information protection in cross-border data transfers clarify certification procedures, eligibility, and requirements. Released by the Cyberspace Administration, they aim to enhance data governance and privacy, ensuring compliance and safeguarding personal information in international exchanges.
China’s new draft measures provide clarity on the certification process for personal information protection in cross-border data transfers (CBDT). Aimed at enhancing data governance, safeguarding privacy, and ensuring regulatory compliance, the draft measures outline eligibility criteria for applying the certification mechanism, specify the requirements, and detail the certification procedures.
On January 3, 2025, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) issued a draft document titled Measures for the Certification of Personal Information Protection for Cross-Border Data Transfers (hereinafter, draft measures) for public consultation. The draft measures, comprising 20 detailed articles, outline a comprehensive framework for certifying the security and compliance of personal data transfers beyond China’s borders.
With the feedback deadline set for February 3, 2025, the draft measures represent a crucial step in China’s broader strategy to strengthen data governance, ensure cybersecurity, and address global concerns over the safety of cross-border information flows.
Article 3 of the draft measures defines “PI protection certification” in cross-border data transfers as the formal evaluation process carried out by bodies authorized by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR).
These certification bodies are responsible for assessing the compliance of personal information processors with the requirements of secure cross-border data transfers. The certification ensures that processors—whether domestic or foreign—adhere to the stringent criteria set out in the regulations, thereby protecting individuals’ personal information while enabling international data exchanges. Certified entities must demonstrate their capacity to manage cross-border data transfers in compliance with the standards laid out by the CAC and SAMR.
The certification process not only verifies compliance but also serves as an assurance to the public and regulatory authorities that the certified processors meet the required data protection measures.
Moreover, the scope of “cross-border data transfers” encompasses several scenarios where personal information moves across national boundaries. These include:
| This article was first published by China Briefing , which is produced by Dezan Shira & Associates. The firm assists foreign investors throughout Asia from offices across the world, including in in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, and India . Readers may write to info@dezshira.com for more support. |
Read the rest of the original article.
- China and the UK Resume Economic and Financial Discussions After Six-Year Break
- Indonesia Needs to Take a Critical Stance on China’s Global Order Vision
- Cross-Border Data Transfers: New Draft Guidelines Clarify Certification for Personal Information Protection
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