Border trade hurt by Myanmar clashes

With clashes in Myanmar escalating, Chinese border towns are suffering a decline in trade. Some local businesses tell how they're trying to survive.

Zhu Xiaoya has been doing business in Nabang Township for 18 years. In the beginning, she and her husband were so optimistic about border trade that they moved to the town. But now, she can only sigh about their rapidly declining sales.

Zhu said, "95% of my products are sold to Myanmar. In the past, many heavy-duty trucks were here loading goods. But since the fighting started, all my stocks have been piling up in the warehouse."

Zhu says the daily necessities her store sells are very popular among Myanmar buyers. But she worries that if the tension continues to escalate, she will lose her customers and livelihood. And she's not alone. At the meat section in a local market, butcher Li Ruyun also complains about the Myanmar situation.

Li said, "Because of the war, I've lost 70% of my business. Although the port is still open, few Myanmar dealers will risk their lives to come here."

Amidst the deteriorating situation in Myanmar, the local government is helpless.

Wang Zhonghua, chief of Nabang township, said, "Border trade is indeed suffering. But the clashes are Myanmar's internal affair, there is little we can do. The only thing we can do is calm the minds of local business owners."