Myanmar arrests more than 100 foreigners in raid of illegal logging near Chinese border

The Myanmar army has arrested more than 100 foreigners after finding illegal logging occurring near the Chinese border.

The defense ministry's news release says the army acted based on aerial survey of logging activities in Kachin state. It said Tuesday the army arrested 102 foreigners and 20 Myanmar nationals.

The statement did not identify the foreigners' nationality, but the illegal logging was reported to have taken place near the Myanmar-Chinese border.

Chinese demand for wood has been driven by its prosperity and growth as a global manufacturer. China banned the felling of its own old-growth trees in 1998, fuelling the illegally export of wood, especially high-end varieties such as rosewood and teak.