Chinese timber tycoons supply rations to Burma troops

A RECENT PHOTO OF CHINESE LOG-TRUCKS AT NONGDAO CAMP NEAR BORDER.

A RECENT PHOTO OF CHINESE LOG-TRUCKS AT NONGDAO CAMP NEAR BORDER.

Chinese timber merchants are supplying essential rations to Burma army troops engaged in combat operations in Kachin state against the Kachin Independence Army, according to sources on the frontline.

Army units with hundreds of troops located in logging areas in Manje (Mansi) township in southern Kachin state have come to rely on supplies sent from China because their regular supply lines have been blocked by the KIA since the army's Kachin offensive began last year, according to a KIA officer serving in the area.

The supplies appear to have been bought and paid for by Chinese timber merchants who have long-standing agreements in Burma to get access to Kachin timber.

Government troops have tried to limit their operations in the logging areas to avoid clashes with the KIA and thus not disrupt the Chinese timber firm's operations, according to a source associated with the Chinese timber firms.

Every day, large amounts of teak and other valuable woods are shipped from Manje to China via the Bhamo (Manmaw) to Kai Htik road. The logs usually cross the Chinese border at Nongdao having passed through a series of KIA checkpoints, according to traders.

Early last year Burmese authorities granted Chinese timber merchants one year logging concessions in Manje township, according to a KIA official with knowledge of the deal. While the Kachin conflict which began last June initially disrupted the supply of logs by October the Chinese merchants were able to resume operations.

The KIA has three battalions under its 3rd Brigade operating in Manje township however soldiers from all three battalions have been ordered by their superiors not to plant mines in the logging areas or disrupt the shipment of timber, according to a KIA officer based in the area.

The KIA has asked the Chinese loggers to stop their operations in Manje township by April 24, according to an officer at the KIA's Laiza headquarters.

Burma base survives with troops and supplies shipped via China
A frontline Burma army base on the China-Burma border has also continued to receive supplies from the Chinese side since the Kachin conflict began last year. Supplies and troop reinforcements came as recently as last week to the base located on Mu Bum mountain near Mai Ja Yang, according to KIA sources.

The base is completely surrounded by KIA positions and during the ceasefire period supplies came to base with the cooperation of the KIA.

Chinese authorities have allowed supplies and reinforcements to be sent to Mu Bum from the Chinese side despite an incident in January in which soldiers from the base are alleged to have crossed into China and abducted and then executed Lahpai Zau Lawn, an unarmed Chinese citizen of Kachin (Jingpo) ethnicity. The killing of Lahpai Zau Lawn drew some international attention in March when Chinese officials publicly demanded that the Burma army investigate his death.

Last October soldiers from Mu Bum base are also alleged to have abducted Sumlut Roi Ja, a 28-year mother while she was tending to her fields near the base. Her husband who witnessed her abduction tried to pursue his wife's disappearance in the Burmese legal system but a court in Naypyidaw recently squashed this challenge.