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Article: But will the flag follow trade: Myanmar and China. (Chinese in Mandalay)
- Article from:
- The Economist (US)
- Article date:
- October 8, 1994
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1994 Economist Newspaper Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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"TO GO to Mandalay," snaps the character in a local magazine cartoon, "you need to master Chinese conversation." His gibe reflects more and more the reality in Myanmar's second city, and to its inhabitants it is less and less of a joke.
The former capital of Burmese kings, made familiar to westerners by Kipling, is becoming the business capital of Chinese traders surging south from Yunnan province in search of markets. Mandalay is experiencing a boom that started when Myanmar's ruling junta, the State Law and Order Restoration Council, opened up border trade with China, a few hours' drive north-east of the city.
Flashy concrete villas are springing up at every ...