Chinese immigrant recalls history of friendly ties with Myanmar

BEIJING, August 7 (Xinhuanet) -- China and Myanmar have a long history of friendly ties. And on a microcosmic scale, the older generation of Chinese immigrants in Myanmar can recall the days of celebrating holidays together with the locals.

Ninety-year-old Shwe Paw insists on going to work every day in the company he founded, even though it is being well looked after by his son. He takes immense pride in the old pictures of himself with the big shots, both Chinese and Burmese.

"You know, China and Myanmar were both the initiators of the famous Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence. I still remember when late Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai came here the first time to discuss the principles with Myanmar leaders," he said.

Shwe Paw said that Zhou’s most impressive visit out of the nine he took to Myanmar was in 1960, when he joined the local people in celebrating the Festival of Songkran, or water splashing. "Hundreds of thousands gathered in the streets and splashed water on one another, Zhou was one of them. I will never forget that happy moment," he said.

Shwe Paw’s company is located on Mahabandoola street, where most Chinese immigrants opened their small businesses in the early years.

The shops and stalls now belong to a melting pot of races and cultures.

"We cherish very much our ties with China. This is even more important when Myanmar is opening up to the world. The traditional friendship plus business cooperation will definitely build even stronger ties between the two countries," U Sein Win Aung, Myanmar China Friendship Association chairman, said.

(Source: CNTV.cn)