From July 30 to August 1, 2019, a delegation led by Professor Li Youmei, Chairman of the Chinese Sociological Association and First Vice President of Shanghai Academy, visited Myanmar upon the invitation of the Myanmar-China Friendship Association of Mandalay, and the Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies (MISIS).

Stop 1: Myanmar-China Friendship Association

The delegation visited the Myanmar-China Friendship Association in JinTawYan, Mandalay on the morning of July 31, and had talks with U Po Myint, Chairman of the Mandalay Sub-Association of Myanmar-China Friendship Association, along with overseas Chinese representatives concerning how to advance the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Myanmar in fields including education, society, culture, economy, and trade.

Stop 2: Fuqing Confucius

After that, the delegation headed to Fuqing Confucius Classroom in Mandalay, where they had a talk in Jisige Conference Room of Fuqing School with the team in charge of Confucius Classroom, about how to increase Sino-Myanmar cultural exchanges and give play to the role of the think tank and the Confucius classroom as a tie connecting China and Myanmar.

Stop 3: Consulate-General of China in Mandalay

The delegation visited the Consulate-General of China in Mandalay on the afternoon of July 31, and were warmly received by the Consul-General, Wang Zongying, who also introduced in details the politics, economy, history, culture and social life of Myanmar, as well as Myanmar’s recognition of the Belt and Road initiative with the further advance of the construction of China-Myanmar Economic Corridor.

Stop 4: MISIS

After reaching Rangoon at noon of August 1, in the afternoon the delegation visited MISIS, affiliated to the Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs , and met Mr. Khin Maung Lynn, Joint Secretary of MISIS.

Mr. Khin Maung Lynn briefed the delegation on the official think tanks of Myanmar, including the Center for Myanmar Studies under the Ministry of Publicity of Myanmar, and MISIS under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar, and their main functions. In Myanmar, other think tanks that attract attention both at home and abroad also include Myanmar Development and Resource Institute (MDRI), initiated by members of the counselor team at the Myanmar Office of the President, which has three research centers, i.e. Research Center of Economic and Social Development, Research Center of Legal Affairs, and Research Center of Strategy and International Studies. All the said think tanks provide decision-making consulting service for the government, and have cooperation with relevant Chinese research institutes in multiple aspects.