The Union government has reportedly given the go ahead for three “economic cooperation zones” to be constructed in Kachin and Shan states, close to the border with China, as part of Beijing’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. An article in The Irrawaddy quoted U Khet Aung, chief minister of Kachin State, as saying the projects had been given the green light following a meeting of the Economic Cooperation Zones Central Committee in Nay Pyi Taw. The report said that the zones will be located in Kanpiketi, which is under the control of the New Democratic Army-Kachin militia; at Chinshwehaw, in Shan State’s Laukkai Township, in the Kokang Self-Administered Zone; and in Shan State’s Muse Township. “The [commerce] minister pushed us to start the projects soon,” Khet Aung was quoted as saying, who added that the zones would be established on both sides of the border. Myanmar is seen as an important part of the B&R Initiative, although the area near the China border is one of the country’s most volatile, with several ethnic armed groups in fighting with the Myanmar armed forces.