Legend has it that in the 13th century, a salt-trading merchant from Yunnan, China, discovered the uneven weight on either side of a horse carrying goods. Picking up a random stone and placing it in the cargo bag, humanity stumbled upon jadeite, a resplendent gem native to Burma, often hailed as the diamond of the East.

In an ancient temple in Burma, there are still engravings of 5,000 Chinese jade merchants from over 500 years ago who traversed between Burma and Tengchong. The trade route saw over 20,000 mules and horses a day. At that time, Tengchong’s jadeite trade accounted for ninety percent of the world’s total. During the Qing dynasty, wearing and admiring Burmese jadeite became a fashion statement in the capital. Jadeite watermelons, jadeite lotus leaves, jadeite Chinese cabbages ... among the burial items of Empress Dowager Cixi, there were numerous priceless jade artifacts.

In China, this uniquely colored gemstone is imbued with beautiful and auspicious connotations, giving rise to a rich jade culture. To this day, over 95% of commercial jadeite comes from Burma, with about 90% of Burmese jade flowing into China. Jade trade has become a crucial economic pillar for Burma, accounting for nearly half of its GDP, with an estimated annual turnover of $31 billion in 2015.

However, the vast resource reserves and market demand have not translated into prosperity for the people of Burma, primarily due to ownership issues of the mines. Over the centuries, invasions by foreign colonizers and internal power struggles have left the Burmese with no room to modernize the jade production model. The lives of the miners remain arduous and primitive.

Chinese director Zhao Deyin, born in Burma, documented a day in the lives of the Burmese jade miners. Even after working tirelessly day and night, having a meal that includes rice feels like a celebration. The high unemployment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has forced more Burmese to become free miners, scavenging through waste piles as underprivileged individuals. They hope to find a high-quality jadeite that could change their family’s destiny overnight, but reality rarely offers such lucky breaks.

While nurturing a massive industry, Burma continues to face the challenges of developing its jade sector. Sometimes, it’s hard to distinguish whether this glint of emerald is a source of wealth or a curse, an opportunity or a shackle. How can we sustainably manage resources to benefit the widest population? This question warrants thoughtful consideration for any nation.