The Chinese government has donated 500 tons of rice and 500,000
yuan (US$62,500) worth of antimalaria medicines to Myanmar, as part
of a program to help Myanmar with its poppy-substitute program.
The aid was formally handed over on Tuesday in Laukkai, capital
of Shan State Special Region-1.
With the support of China, a major destination for the illegal
produce of the "Golden Triangle" poppy cultivation area, foreign
governments, and international organizations, the Myanmar
government has increased efforts to carry out its opium-substitute
program.
This has resulted in large reductions in the acreage of poppy
cultivation and in the incomes of poppy growers, as well as a
shortage of grain supply in north Myanmar.
At the request of Myanmar government, the Chinese government
agreed to give 10,000 tons of rice to the Myanmar government and 5
million yuan (US$625,000) worth of goods to Kokang region in north
Myanmar.
(Xinhua News Agency September 20, 2006)
