Chinese Tibetan delegation conducts cultural exchanges with Myanmar ministers

NAY PYI TAW, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese Tibetan cultural exchange delegation exchanged views Tuesday with Myanmar ministers on ethnic nationalities and religious and cultural affairs.

The Chinese delegation briefed the Myanmar side on China's policy on ethnic groups, Tibet Autonomous Region's religion and culture as well as China's measures in safeguarding cultural heritage.

Chinese ethnic groups are equal, united, helping each other and enjoying common development, said Zhang Yun, director of the Institute of History Studies of the China Tibetology Research Center. Tibet's development has been supported throughout China, especially after the reform and opening-up in 1978, he said.

Myanmar Minister of Ethnic Affairs Nai Thet Lwin, for his part, briefed the Chinese side on the country's policy related to protection of its ethnic groups' rights and interests.

He said the newly-established ministry will enhance the exchanges between ethnic groups, boost peaceful coexistence and consolidation to push forward the country's development, and protect the nationalities' rights, their languages, music and traditional culture.

Myanmar Union Minister of Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko said China and Myanmar have forged a deep Paukphaw (fraternal) friendship and the Belt and Road Initiative is important to Myanmar's economic development.

The Chinese delegation arrived in Yangon on Sunday and held the China Tibetan Culture Picture Exhibition at the Shwedagon Pagoda.

The delegation visited Myanmar's State Sangha Maha Nayaka (Senior Monks) Committee and the International Theravada Buddhist University on Monday. Enditem