Dehong a Land of Opportunity for Myanmar Citizens (Part II)

In recent years， with the continuous expansion of Yunnan Province’s opening up， an increasing number of Myanmar citizens have come to Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan in southwest China for both full time jobs and day-to-day business. How are they faring in Dehong? The following is the second part of our investigation into the lives and work of Myanmar citizens living in Yunnan’s border regions.

Dong Caiqin: Feeling Safe in China

“I have been working in Dehong for more than three years，” said a 19-year-old from Myanmar known in Chinese as Dong Caiqin. “In Myanmar， there are wars now and then. Here in China， I feel safe and sound. Wages here are also much higher. I’m quite happy to be living and working here.”

Similar to most of the other Myanmar citizens working in Ruili in Dehong Prefecture， the young woman came to work in the Chinese border city with the assistance of a friend. When she first arrived， she wasn’t happy. “You know， when I first arrived， I was in a different country with different culture， different food and very few friends. I almost went back to Myanmar，” she explained， showing great emotion. She said that she now has a lot more friends. She has also learned some valuable skills from the vocational training that her company has organized.

“What’s most important? Safety. In Myanmar， we don’t feel secure. Here in China， it’s safe，” Dong added with a smile. “I used to work at a restaurant in Myanmar. The salary was the equivalent of 1，000 yuan (US$155). Here in China， my salary is 1，600 yuan (US$245)， nearly double what I was earning in Myanmar. The company has also promised to help us improve our skills. I look forward to that.”

The Myanmar girl said that she is happy to work harder to earn more money. In the future， when she returns to Myanmar， she would like to help her family renovate their old house， making it possible for all her family members to live together.

Wen Bo: Expecting More Benefits

On Sept. 2， it’s still hot in the border town Jiegao of Ruili. However， the stifling heat didn’t deter the booming cross-border trade there.

“I have driven my truck between Myanmar and China for nearly two years now，” explained a 35-year-old truck driver from Myanmar known in Chinese as Wen Bo. “I usually travel between Yangon or Mandalay and Jiegao， with agricultural products coming this way and consumer goods going the other way. I hope trade between China and Myanmar will become more prosperous， so that I can make more money and improve my life.”

A long queue of heavy-duty trucks can be found in Jiegao each day. The trucks come from all across Myanmar， fully loaded with various agricultural products. Wen Bo told our reporter that he used to be a farmer in his native village. What he harvested from the land could hardly sustain his family， including his three children. With the support of a friend， he entered the cross-border transportation business.

“Generally， I can make 150，000 kyat (US$110) with each return journey，” said the Myanmar guy. “Every month， I can make two such journeys and make 300，000 kyat (US$220)， which is enough to sustain my family. The trade between our countries is doing very well， and I believe it’s getting better. I believe our lives will continue to get better.”

He added that he hopes the bilateral trade will maintain growth momentum and bring more benefits to the people on both sides of the China-Myanmar border.