Chinese New Year Festival: Vice Senior General attends the celebration in Yangon

The 2026 Chinese New Year Festival took place at the National Sports Stadium (1) Thuwunna in Yangon on Saturday, with the attendance of Vice Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission Vice Senior General Soe Win and wife.

The festival commenced with the ceremonial ribbon cutting, followed by the performance of the Lion Dance, and presenting the commemorative shawls.

Then, the Vice Senior General and Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Ms. Ma Jia inaugurated the ceremony by striking the gong three times. Then, the Chairman of Myanmar Chinese Buddhist Association, Venerable Sayadaw of Guanyin Temple and monks said New Year prayers in both Chinese and Myanmar languages.

The Vice Senior General later donated Buddhist Statues and fruits to the Sayadaw who in turn presented the religious gift. The ceremony continued with the presentation of traditional gifts and performance programs.

The Vice Senior General and party also toured around the booths, showcasing the Chinese culture, handicrafts, traditional medicines, food stalls and businesses. The New Year Dinner then followed, with the traditional “dotting of the eyes” ritual to awaken the Chinese lion, in accordance with longstanding customs.

The Vice Senior General and wife, together with the Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar, performed the ceremonial eye-dotting of the lion in line with Chinese traditions. The traditional lion dance performance then followed.

In his New Year's Greetings, the Vice Senior General highlighted the significance of the Year of Horse in the Chinese zodiac as a symbol of strength, energy and success. He expressed confidence that 2026 would bring further development and achievements for both China and Myanmar, further strengthening of bilateral cooperation with goodwill and mutual trust.

The Vice Senior General highlighted ongoing cooperation in education, health, energy, infrastructure and transport, including major projects such as the Kyaukphyu Deep-Sea Port, oil and gas pipelines, and railway projects linking Muse, Mandalay and Kyaukphyu. He also reaffirmed Myanmar’s commitment to the One-China Policy and expressed appreciation for China’s support in Myanmar’s peace process and disaster relief efforts. He also noted that Myanmar has successfully held a multi-party democracy general election and that a newly elected government will soon take office, paving the way for expanded cooperation between the two countries. In conclusion, the Vice Senior General wished for continued prosperity of China and long lasting of friendship between the two neighboring countries based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. Then, the Vice Senior General and the Ambassador exchanged New Year Commemorative Gifts.

The Chinese Ambassador also extended greetings,  expressing delight in joining the local Chinese community to welcome the Year of the Horse. She emphasized that both countries will continue to strengthen economic collaboration, deepen people-to-people ties, and build the “Pauk-Phaw” friendship for a brighter future.

Then, the dinner was served, along with the performances by the Chinese and local artistes. Winners of Chinese New Year Basketball Tournament were awarded during the ceremony.