Chinese and Myanmar Teenagers Get Closer to Each Other in Beijing

2017-06-05 13:56:00    China Soong Ching Ling Foundation

On May 7, 2017, a delegation of Burmese teenagers went to China at the invitation of the CSCLF and took part in exchange activities with their Chinese counterparts. 

China and Myanmar are neighboring countries with deep friendship. In recent years, cultural exchanges between the youth of the two countries are frequent, serving as a bridge for people-to-people diplomacy of China and Myanmar. This visit is an important annual cooperation program between the CSCLF and a renowned Myanmar Foundation. On May 4, the delegation of 23 teenagers arrived in China, and then participated in a series of cultural exchange activities in Xi’an. 

On the morning of May 7, the delegation went to China Song Ching Ling Youth Technology and Cultural Exchange Center and had cultural exchanges with the Chinese youth. CSCLF Standing Vice Chairman met with the leader of the delegation and president of the Myanmar Foundation. She came to meet the teenagers of our two nations. 

Hang said China and Myanmar have helped each other over the past five decades. Friendship between the two peoples stands the test of time. The youth represent a nation’s future, and are a symbol of a brighter tomorrow for the China-Myanmar friendship. Hang said he hoped Chinese and Burmese teenagers can make friends with each other and play a positive role in strengthening friendship between the two nations. 

The head of the Myanmar delegation said that young people are the future of a country. She cited a saying in her country, “the youth today are state leaders tomorrow.” That’s why the Foundation lays emphasis on the cultivation of the youth. She believed that young people should not only learn the culture of their own country, but also their neighboring nations, and promised that the foundation will remain committed to enhancing youth cultural exchanges between Chinese and Myanmar and promoting mutual understandings between our two peoples. 

Myanmar teenagers are learning Chinese calligraphy. 

A Myanmar teenager is playing the piano. 

Younger members of the delegation are performing traditional dances. 

Chinese children are teaching waist drum techniques to their Myanmar friends.

Myanmar teenagers are making Chinese dumplings to experience Chinese cuisine. 

Delegation leader is taking group picture with Chinese children. 

During the exchange activities of that day, Chinese and Myanmar teenagers learnt Chinese calligraphy and painting together; the Myanmar youth appreciated performance of traditional Chinese instrument like Erhu and Konghou; they also had a contest of performing their own national dances. They forged deep friendship when taking part in these activities. 

Fifteen-year-old Thin Yati Swe Zin performed Myanmar’s national dance – Forever Myanmar. She told reporters that she was glad to have exchanges with Chinese students through dancing and was amazed by their  Mongolian dance, which she is looking forward to learning some day. “I have posted photos of these activities on my social media. I will definitely share my experiences here with my friends after I go back to Myanmar.”

Leng Mengfei, a senior-two student from Beijing No.4 High School, said artistic forms like music and art enable them to overcome the barrier of language and have better understandings of each others’ cultures. She also expects more chances to participate in cultural exchange activities of this kind. 

Three international students from Myanmar who are studying at Beijing No.4 High School were also present. Aung K yaw Oo has lived in China for six years and is a senior-two student. “I got to know the Myanmar delegation online and immediately submitted applications to take part in this activity.” Aung K yaw Oo said the activity is rich in content and includes distinctive sections, thereby offering opportunities to Chinese and Burmese teenagers to get to know each other and make friends. 

This exchange event will last till May 10. The delegation will also participate in other exchange and experiential activities in Beijing. 

(Source: Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges)

 

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