An open letter from Chinese youth to young people in Myanmar

Dear brothers and sisters:

Hello! First of all, I would like to extend my greetings to you all for the New Year and wish you all a happy New Year! I am a young Chinese studying and working in Myanmar, and I have been deeply in love with this land and people since I came here in 2009 to study Burmese, my second home. In Myanmar I have walked through many places, whether urban or rural, you are greeted by good people and a warm smile, as a foreigner there is no strange feeling. Big gold towers, tranquil Lake Inya, mysterious boulders, lively Ebri Beach.... It all made a good impression on me. Seafood, grilled meats, noodles, fish soup.... Burma on the tip of my tongue also makes me forget.

Over the past ten years, I have made a lot of friends here, there are Burmese people also have Chinese, we come from all walks of life, always help each other in times of difficulty, all ten minutes love this piece of youth and struggle hot soil. But the weather is unpredictable, and a political storm in the spring of 2021 has broken the quiet peace of the land, and many people have paid a heavy price for it. There are even Chinese enterprises that have been smashed, burned and injured.... Rumours and smears about China have been swirling on Myanmar's social networks, and there have been clamours for a Burmese man to burn down a Chinese factory. My friends and I were shocked by this extreme words and deeds, and my friends of the Chinese entrepreneurs who were victimized complained bitterly, "Why is this happening?" What's wrong with this country? Why should we hurt us when we operate legally and strive to contribute to Myanmar's economy and help ordinary people solve their problems? Shouldn't any country protect the legitimate rights and interests of local and foreign-invested enterprises? Why hurt our Chinese enterprises? ”

When the night was quiet, I kept reflecting: the two peoples of China and Myanmar are related by blood and have known each other as brothers since ancient times. China and Myanmar are connected by mountains and rivers, and the friendly relations between the two countries have a long history and continuous development. China is Myanmar's largest trading partner, export market and source of imports, and one of myanmar's most important sources of investment, with nearly $20 billion in annual trade between the two countries and more than 400 Chinese companies investing in myanmar to build factories and solve the employment problems of 400,000 Burmese. China is Myanmar's neighbor who can't move away, and most wants peace, stability and development in Myanmar. Who is behind this? Who is the biggest beneficiary of upset myanmar and the provocation of China-Myanmar relations? I hope Myanmar's young friends have time and calmly think about it, don't let the tragedy unfold again! Don't let the relatives hurt, the enemy fast! Pray for buddha to bless peace and return to this sacred hot land as soon as possible! People return to a quiet life as soon as possible!

Finally, I wish you all a happy New Year! The people of both countries live and work in peace! China-Myanmar friendship is evergreen!

A young Chinese who loves Myanmar

April 18, 2021