STORY: Event held in Yangon to celebrate Spring Festival, boost China-Myanmar cultural exchange
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 24, 2025
DATELINE: Jan. 26, 2025
LENGTH: 0:01:53
LOCATION: YANGON, Myanmar
CATEGORY: SOCIETY/CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the celebrations
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): CAO JING, Minister counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Myanmar): U OHN MAUNG, Chairman of the Myanmar Writers' Association
4. various of the celebrations

STORYLINE:

An event was held Friday to celebrate the Spring Festival and boost China-Myanmar cultural exchange in Yangon, Myanmar.
   
Cao Jing, minister counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar, said at the event that the Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival in China and a wonderful time for reunion and gathering.

In July last year, Myanmar designated Chinese New Year as a public holiday. 

In December, the Spring Festival and Myanmar's Thingyan Water Festival were both included in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This honor, Cao said, recognizes the long-standing historical and cultural traditions of the two countries and highlights the importance of traditional festivals as a bridge for cultural exchange.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): CAO JING, Minister counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar
"China and Myanmar are constantly strengthening cooperation and local exchanges in various fields such as education, culture, and tourism, and the foundation of public opinion for China-Myanmar friendship is increasingly consolidated. No matter how the international situation changes, the friendship between the two peoples will be solid and long-lasting through the joint efforts of all sectors of China and Myanmar."
   
U Ohn Maung, chairman of the Myanmar Writers' Association, spoke at the event to share his understanding of China's history, culture and modernization. The chairman also recited poems to express his praise for the Myanmar-China friendship.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Myanmar): U OHN MAUNG, Chairman of the Myanmar Writers' Association
"China and Myanmar have a long tradition of friendship. The cultural and economic interactions continue to deepen, constantly enhancing the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples."
   
Through cultural lectures, photo exhibition and display of Chinese cultural relics and intangible cultural heritage works, the event highlights the importance of traditional festivals for bridging cultural exchanges and presenting the people of Myanmar with a wonderful Spring Festival feast.
   
More than 200 people from Myanmar's various sectors participated in the event.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Yangon, Myanmar.
(XHTV)