Lincang city, in Southwest China's Yunnan province, plans to build itself into a special economic zone to promote cooperation with neighboring Myanmar, according to an official with the municipal government in Lincang, May 24.
Zhang Zejun, deputy Party secretary of Lincang, addressed reporters at a press conference. He said the city is expected to embrace a leap-forward economic development during the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-2015). The municipal government has rolled out a range of plans, including strengthening its economic ties with Myanmar, added Zhang.
Located in the southwest of Yunnan province, Lincang is the mountainous home of the Wa ethnic minority and also a convenient stop-off point before Myanmar. The city has three counties that border Myanmar - Cangyuan, Gengma and Zhenkang.
To ensure the smooth flow of goods between Lincang and Myanmar, the municipal government has decided to accelerate highway, railway and airway development in the next couple of years.
Data from Lincang's Commerce Bureau shows that the total trade volume through the three ports was 175 million yuan ($26.96 million) last year, a 39-percent year-on-year growth.
