Chinese products increasingly popular in Myanmar

Chinese products, already popular in Myanmar due to their low prices and good quality, are attracting the interest of a growing number of local merchants and consumers.

"Chinese products are widely used in Myanmar. Many food and household products are made in China," U Pan Thee, a jeweler in Yangon's Bogyoke Aung San Market, told Xinhua Saturday.

"Both of my mobile phones are Chinese products, Huawei and ZTE. Even the towel in my bathroom is made in China," he said.

The quality of Chinese products differs according to their prices, but they are generally cheaper compared with Thai products, the jeweler said.

Another jeweler, U Aung Kyaw Myat, who works in the same market, told Xinhua that his family also uses Chinese electronic products, especially mobile phones.

"I think China's economic growth benefits people in the surrounding areas," he said.

U Aung Kyaw Soe, a painter from Puzuntaung Township, was also enthused about China-made products. "I really like their products. I always use their products not only for my painting, but also in my household," he said.

Bilateral trade between Myanmar and China reached 9.4 billion U.S. dollars in the first 10 months of financial year 2015-16, local newspaper Myanmar Business Today reported, citing data from the country's ministry of commerce.

U Thura Lin, owner of a mobile accessories shop in Yangon's Yuzana Plaza, Myanmar's largest, told Xinhua that he mainly imports Chinese products for his shop.

"Most local people cannot afford to use high-priced products from some other countries. They use Chinese products, which are sold at fair prices with relatively good quality," the shop owner said.

Asked about China's Belt and Road Initiative, he said he hopes it can boost Myanmar economically and socially.