A total of 438 Chinese citizens are working in Kachin State with green cards, according to Security and Border Affairs Ministry for Kachin State.

They are employed in the Myitsone hydropower project, Northern Tawwin jade company, Tapain hydropower project, Htainchone-Myitkyina road, Taehone merchant association, Myanmar Hein Yone Company, Thakhin Sitt Company and Kachin Daihone Company.

State Chief Minister Dr Khat Aung said, “No illegal Chinese citizens are living in the banana plantations in the state. Minister for Security and Border Affairs and head of immigration department for the state scrutinized them and allowed them to stay with green cards. The Chinese that were previously detained only came here illegally to attend a wedding reception.”

MPs raised a question about illegal entry of Chinese citizens in the state at Kachin State parliament on February 8 2018 and Col. Thura Myo Tin, State Minister for Security and Border Affairs said that the authorities issued border passes for Chinese citizens as Kanpikete border gate is not an international border gate. They charged them five Yuan per time and the Chinese are allowed to stay for 14 days in Myitkyina district. They are not allowed to overstay or enter other areas. They haven’t been granted work permits. The authorities granted three-month stay green cards, which they charged 60 Yuan for each person, for technicians and skilled workers from China to stay and work in development projects in the state. Foreigners holding social visas can stay at their relatives’ homes and those holding religious visas can stay at buildings owned by religious associations. Immigration and Population Department is monitoring where the foreigners are staying.”

More than 2,000 green card holders were stayed in the state, according to statistics in mid 2017.