<p>KIA and China Border<br />
These images are a snapshot of the Sino-KIO border today.<br />
The border between China and the KIO control area was easily crossable until 2019<br />
for up to one week with the temporary border passbook.<br />
Around 100,000 Kachin IDPs ( Internally Displaced Peoples ), who have fled the civil<br />
war areas, live on this China-KIO border.<br />
Most of the Kachin IDPs were used to regularly crossing to China for their families<br />
livelihood, as laborers, farmers or small traders.<br />
China has recently restricted the border security highly on the China side under the<br />
pretext of the coronavirus pandemic.<br />
They are setting up CCTVs and the metal & cement reinforced concertina wire fences<br />
along the KIO border on the Chinese side. Many difficulties arose for Kachin IDPs who are<br />
dependent on open borders for their economic livelihood.<br />
After the Burmese military coup in February 2021, the Chinese government has<br />
pressured the KIA not to fight with the Burmese army.<br />
Right now the fighting between the KIA and the Burmese army has intensified near<br />
the border and the Chinese government places an embargo on all the food items<br />
being sent to the KIO border gate at Laiza, the KIO/KIA headquarters capital city.</p>
<p>At the same time, Chinese health volunteers are also providing Covid-19 vaccines to<br />
Kachin refugees along the KIA border.</p>
