The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), also known as the Kokang forces, has instructed shop owners along the road between Lashio and Mong Yai in Northern Shan State to include Chinese on their signboards—even if they already display Burmese and Shan—according to residents.

MNDAA officials met with village tract administrators from Nam Pawng, Ho Ya, and nearby areas on November 23, informing them that all shop signboards must display the three languages in a fixed order.

“They said if we don’t put Burmese on top, Chinese in the middle, and Shan at the bottom, they will close the shops. They said they will issue licenses and collect taxes, and that it must be done within three days,” a resident from the Ho Ya area in Mong Yai Township told SHAN.

Markets in Namabawda, Nam Pawng, and Ho Ya lie along this route. Shop owners said they had already been instructed on November 14 to install signboards in Burmese and Shan, and the new requirement to add Chinese means they must replace them again, causing additional expenses.

In Hsenwi (Theinni) Township, which is under MNDAA control, residents reported earlier this year that officials restricted the use of English on new shop signs and required Chinese to be added if Burmese or Shan appeared.

Locals say MNDAA troops stationed between Lashio and Mong Yai have not withdrawn, and there is no active fighting with junta forces. Checkpoints remain in place.

“There has been no change from the Lashio bypass up to Ho Ya. The Kokang troops are still in their positions. People still have to submit name lists to pass the checkpoint, and cars are still searched,” said a driver on the Lashio–Mong Yai route.

Meanwhile, traders report that at the junta checkpoint in Ho Ya Village, Chinese goods transported through Brotherhood Alliance–controlled areas are now being strictly blocked.

“The goods are completely stopped. Even plastic bags with Chinese writing must be changed before they let locals through on foot. If transporting by car or motorbike, it’s totally banned. Clothing or food with Chinese characters isn’t allowed; they make us empty everything,” the driver said.

Since mid-November, travel difficulties have increased due to renewed tensions between junta troops and the MNDAA over the regime’s demand for MNDAA withdrawal from the Lashio–Hsipaw corridor. The junta has kept the Hsipaw bridge closed to vehicles since November 14, and it remains shut nearly two weeks later, affecting travel toward Lashio and Mong Yai.