China-Myanmar border gate reopened to facilitate cross-border trade

A China-Myanmar border gate, which was suspended for over two weeks, was temporarily reopened on Thursday to facilitate border trade between the two neighbors, said Assistant Secretary of Myanmar Commerce Ministry U Khin Maung Lwin.

The reopening of the Kyin San Kyawt border check point was agreed after coordination between Myanmar's Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Commerce and officials from the Chinese Embassy.

The gate, through which fruit and seafood were exported from Myanmar to China, was shut down for security reasons on Dec. 27 last year, causing financial losses to farmers and fruit traders.

As a result, the time for border crossing through the gate was also extended to 6:00 p.m. from the previous 4:30 p.m. after opening at 6:30 a.m. local time every day, and roads were upgraded from two lanes to four lanes.

Editor: John Li