Port activities seem normal during the weekend at southwest China’s Qingshuihe gateway to northern Myanmar. However, less civilians and vehicles have been seen heading towards China’s neighboring country, ever since conflicts erupted between government forces and militant groups in and around Laukai, capital of Kokang in northern Myanmar’s Shan state, some 35 kilometers northwest of Qingshuihe.

Sitting close to northern Myanmar’s Wa State, Qingshuihe is now the closest and somewhat safest port for people and goods exchanges from both countries.

In a market there, only a handful of shops can be seen open after mid-day during the weekend. Some locals declined to be interviewed claiming they saw not much difference between now and the past, but a source said the market had more visitors in early mornings as more people have been coming from Myanmar recently. The source also said that security had been tightened for fear of conflicts in Kokang spreading to Wa State.

In another Chinese border town, Nansan, the gateway to Myanmar has been closed for almost two weeks. Recent intermittent fighting in Kokang meant stray bullets and shell posed a threat to locals and prompted Myanmar residents to flee the battleground.

Intensive clashes within Myanmar and close to Nansan have abated during the weekend. Vide‍os provided by sources show soldiers in Laukai helping clean the streets and some Myanmar civilians returning to markets and casinos.