On June 28, in Beijing, China, at the Great Hall of the People, President (retired) U Thein Sein attended the 70th-anniversary ceremony of the establishment of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. During the luncheon, he delivered a speech.
Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping attended the event and delivered a speech highlighting the important essence of the principles and their guidance in building a community with a shared future for mankind over the past 70 years. He also emphasized the principles' relevance amidst significant global changes.
The ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nong Duc Manh, former President of Brazil and President of the New Development Bank Dilma Rousseff, former President of South Africa Kgalema Motlanthe, former President of Ethiopia Mulatu Teshome, former President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Prime Minister of Japan Yukio Hatoyama, former Prime Minister of Italy Massimo D'Alema, former Prime Minister of France Dominique de Villepin, and former Prime Minister of South Korea Lee Hae-chan. Also present were officials from the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, the National People's Congress (NPC), the State Council, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), international and regional organizations' representatives, over 100 diplomats from various countries in China, experts, and media personnel, totaling over 600 attendees, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.
Later, President (retired) U Thein Sein attended the luncheon hosted by the CPC Central Committee, member of the Politburo, Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission Office, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Liuhe Hall in Diaoyutai State Guesthouse at 11:30 a.m. local time.
During the luncheon, U Thein Sein spoke about the establishment of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence as a standard for equal and respectful relations between nations. He highlighted the importance of these principles in resolving international disputes peacefully and their significance for world peace amidst global changes, according to the State Administration Council's (SAC) news release.
Afterwards, former President U Thein Sein and his delegation attended a dinner hosted by Mr. Wang Chao, Chairman of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA), at the St. Regis Hotel.
Former President U Thein Sein arrived in China on June 27. Accompanying him on this trip were Chairman of the Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies (MISIS) U Thant Kyaw, Chairman of the Myanmar-China Friendship Association U Tin Oo, and Chairperson of the U Nu-Daw Mya Yi Foundation Daw Than Than Nu. The delegation traveled to China on a military aircraft, according to the news release.
The Chinese Embassy had requested SAC's consent to invite former President U Thein Sein to China. The SAC spokesperson, Major General Zaw Min Tun, informed BBC News that the delegation, representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, would perform key tasks during the visit.
This trip marks U Thein Sein's first state-level foreign visit since serving as President of the State in 2016.
