Pang War border crossing reopens; KIA orders Chinese flags taken down

After several days of temporary closure, the border crossing with China in Pang War Town, controlled by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Chipwi Township, Kachin State, has resumed normal operations, locals reported.

China had closed the border crossing on February 26 amid rumors of imminent junta airstrikes on Pang War, but it reopened to normal traffic on March 2.

“The border gate is open again, and food and supplies are starting to flow back into Pang War. For travel, China is only allowing people to go from Pang War into China, while entry from China into Pang War remains closed,” a Pang War resident said.

Since February 20, rumors have circulated from Chinese mining companies that the junta is planning airstrikes on Pang War Town, a key rare-earth mining hub.

On February 22, Chinese mining companies have forced workers to dig bomb shelters, raised Chinese flags at the mines to signal Chinese ownership, and China closed the border crossings. The Chinese flags were flown as a protective measure to deter pilots from targeting the sites during bombing missions.

The border crossing has now reopened, and the KIA has instructed Chinese companies to lower the Chinese flags.

The Pang War border crossing is a key route for bringing in essential supplies such as rice, oil, salt, and fuel to Chipwi and Pang War towns near the China border.

The KIA and allied resistance forces successfully took control of Pang War in December 2024.