On July 31, 2025, the Myanmar Rubber Planters and Producers Association (MRPPA) sent a letter of gratitude to the Rubber Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATASRRI), expressing appreciation for the long-term efforts in rubber technology demonstration and promotion in Myanmar.
The letter highlighted that, thanks to the sustained support of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation projects—"Integrated Demonstration of Natural Rubber Cultivation and Processing Technologies in Five Lancang-Mekong Countries" (2020-2022) and "Demonstration and Promotion of Rubber Quality and Efficiency Improvement Technologies and Base Construction in Mekong Countries" (2023-2025)—the two sides have engaged in six years of scientific collaboration. And they have established demonstration base for rubber tree cultivation and processing technologies in Myanmar with 50 Mu, which mainly promoting advanced Chinese techniques such as electric tapping, fertilization, harvesting, and latex primary processing. The collaboration has yielded positive results in Myanmar, enhancing work efficiency and rubber production while providing robust technological support for the development of Myanmar’s rubber industry.
The MRPPA expressed that both sides will strengthen further cooperation in areas such as joint project applications, standardized rubber production equipment, and latex primary processing technologies, aiming at promoting China’s advanced natural rubber production technologies and products in Myanmar, benefiting the rubber industries of both countries.
In recent years, Myanmar’s rubber industry has shown sustained growth, with over 70% of its rubber exported directly to China. The year 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Myanmar, and China currently implements a zero-tariff policy on natural rubber imports from Myanmar. This presents significant cooperation potential and promising prospects for collaboration in rubber between China and Myanmar. In future, CATASRRI will continue to deepen scientific and technological cooperation with MRPPA. Efforts will focus on upgrading Myanmar’s rubber processing from smoked sheet rubber to standardized rubber, enhancing the industry’s profitability, improving livelihoods, and protecting the ecological environment.
