KACHIN STATE – Both Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and China have reopened the border gate in Lwegel Town on China-Myanmar border, Momauk Township, and lorries have started entering and leaving, said a KIA source.
On December 16, at 1:00 p.m., the Lwegel border gate on China-Myanmar border was reopened, and both sides removed barriers, and lorries were entering and leaving as usual.
The Kachin Net, the official media outlet of the KIO, also issued an official statement on the evening of December 16 that the Lwegel border gate has officially reopened.
“The lorries are entering and leaving as usual,” said a KIA source.
It was reported that the junta-used all the national flags, emblem and the words “The Republic of the Union of Myanmar” have been removed, leaving only the KIO emblem and flag visible at the Lwegel border gate.
The KIA attacked and captured Lwegel Town and the border gates on April 2.
A delegation led by KIO Chairman General N’Ban La has been visiting China since early December for talks, and since December 13, all the border gates that China had closed have been reopened one by one.
