China has started a cross-border yuan center in a southwest province bordering Myanmar as that country opens up to foreign business, according to a local government website.

The yuan center in the city of Ruili, Yunnan province, will promote exchanging yuan with the Myanmar kyat, according to a statement on the Ruili website posted on Monday.

China, which is Myanmar's biggest trading partner, has urged other countries to end their economic sanctions as the southeast Asian country opens up its economy.