After the Mandalay earthquake, visitor arrival to Ngwesaung Beach has been low, according to residents and visitors.
Hotel rooms were booked for Thingyan since March but some were resold and cancelled, said a resident.
“It may be related to the quake. The beach has yet to be crowded. People postponed their bookings and some resold. It seems the visitor arrival won’t be large this year. Some visitors won’t come. Rooms are still available. There are just a few visitors for now at the beach,” said a travel planner.
Over previous years, even in early April before the Thingyan Festival, the two local famous beaches – Chaungtha and Ngwehsaung were thronged with visitors including family vacations and company trips, he said.
Similarly, there are still visitors in Bagan after the quake struck, according to residents.
Except for Mandalay and Sagaing, travelling is still possible in other cities based on recent travel information, so travel operators can arrange tours smoothly, the Domestic Pilgrimage and Tour Operators Association announced on 1 April. — MT/ZS

Source: Global New Light of Myanmar

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, accompanied by his wife Daw Kyu Kyu Hla, the SAC Joint Secretary and his wife, council members, Union ministers, the Chief Minister of Mandalay Region, and senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, yesterday afternoon met rescue teams from India, China, Russia and Belarus which are conducting rescue and relief operations in Mandalay and spoke words of appreciation.
At the 60 Parachute Field Hospital of the Indian Armed Forces in the old airport of Chanmyathazi Township, team leader Lt-Col Jagneet Gill and officials conducted the Senior General round the hospital and explained how to provide medical treatment. The Senior General, his wife and party comforted patients and presented foodstuffs.
The Senior General spoke words of thanks to the rescuers for their rescue and relief operations and medical treatments. The Senior General and his wife presented gifts and a fruit basket to the medical teams of the Indian Armed Forces. The leader of the team accepted them and presented gifts.
The Senior General signed the guest book of the 60 Parachute Field Hospital.
In the meeting with China’s Search and Rescue team which opened its camp in front of Mingala Mandalay Hotel, the Senior General heard the clarification on rescue and relief operations by team leader Mr Kyauk Me.
In his response, the Senior General expressed his thanks to the Chinese squad for its efforts in Myanmar. China and Myanmar are inseparable neighbouring and friendly countries, and they will continue to cooperate closely. The Chinese team is expected to share the disaster relief experience gained in Myanmar, and Myanmar will take lessons from the current events to continue conducting research and preparedness measures for future natural disasters. The Senior General then cordially greeted members of the Chinese Search and Rescue team.
The Senior General and his wife presented gifts and a fruit basket to the leader of the Chinese team. The leader said he believes and prays Myanmar will be able to overcome the losses caused by the current earthquake in the best possible way, and return to normalcy as soon as possible under the leadership of the Prime Minister.
At Mandalarthiri Stadium, the Senior General cordially greeted members of the rescue, relief and medical team of the Russian Federation led by Major General Sergey Voroutsov. The team is carrying out rescue, relief and medical treatment. The Senior General presented gifts and a fruit basket to the team leader. The Senior General also spoke words of gratitude to the Belarus rescue team led by Col Eagle for their rescue and relief operations. The Senior General presented gifts and a fruit basket to the Belarusian team.
On arrival at Maha Muni Buddha Image, the Senior General inspected the falls of jewellery items and the diamond orb and the damage to ancient mural paintings in the incident of the powerful earthquake and gave necessary guidance to officials.
He viewed round keeping of ancient Pitakat treatises in the Maha Muni Pitakat chamber and ancient bronze statues in the bronze statue museum. He instructed officials to soonest repair the damaged parts and preserve them.
The Senior General looked into the damage to the Maha Muni Buddha Image and religious buildings. After hearing the reports of officials, the Senior General instructed officials to systematically repair the damaged works in their original states, carefully demolish dangerous buildings and repair them in sections.
The Senior General viewed the clearing of debris by Tatmadaw members and volunteers and presented cash awards to them.
The Senior General flew over Mandalay and Kyaukse to view round loss and damage in the earthquake. — MNA/TTA

Source : The Global New Light of Myanmar 

According to the data collected by the Technical Support Team Myanmar, more than 50 infrastructures including pagodas, religious buildings, universities, churches, mosques, and other buildings in Mandalay were damaged by the earthquake.

Technical Support Team Myanmar is a non-profit organization dedicated to collecting records of ancient heritage buildings damaged by the earthquake. The team conducted the inventory with the help of volunteers and posted the information obtained as of April 2 on social media.

According to the Technical Support Team Myanmar's inventory, the earthquake in Mandalay impacted 14 pagodas, nine monasteries, two universities, seven churches, nine mosques, and eight ancient buildings across several townships, including Aungmyay Tharzan, Chanaye Tharzan, Maha Aung Myay, Chan Mya Thar Si, Pyigyitagon, and 2 cave pagodas in Madaya, making a total of 51.

The list is a confirmed and Technical Support Team Myanmar is working to continue to provide additional confirmations.

The current figures do not include damage in Amarapura Township, but local residents say that many ancient pagodas and religious buildings in Amarapura Township collapsed, and that the number of deaths in the collapse of the Bom O village mosque was at least 500.

Source: NP News

The earthquake in the Sagaing Hills damaged some of the water pipes at the Sitagu, causing water shortages for monasteries and nunneries. Efforts are underway to restore water supply as soon as possible.
On the morning of April 3, the 89-year-old chief abbot of the Sitagu Monastery, Dr. Ashin Nyanissara, visited the Sayambu Pagoda on Sagaing Hill, Sun U Ponnyashin Pagoda, the Htuparyon Pagoda, the Sinmyarshin Pagoda, the Mingalar Maha Pagoda, and the See Kon Gyi Pagoda in Sagaing City, which were damaged by the earthquake.
In addition, Sayadaw urged the Sitagu Water Donation Project to be carried out as soon as possible to facilitate the water supply to the schools and nunneries in the Sagaing Hills due to the damage to some water pipes caused by the earthquake.
Some of the water pipelines at the Sitagu Water Donation Temple have been damaged, affecting the monasteries below. As a result, operations have been slightly delayed. However, the Sitagu water staff are working tirelessly to restore the water pipelines to normal functioning as soon as possible.
Similarly, as a health care initiative, two orthopedic surgeons, two general surgeons, two doctors from Sitagu Ayudana Hospital, and nurses from Sitagu Hospital are providing free medical check-ups and surgeries to monks, nuns, and laypeople in Sagaing City and the Sagaing Hills affected by the earthquake.
The Venerable Abbot of Sitagu was in Yangon on March 28, the day the earthquake struck. After the 11th free Sitagu Eye Specialist Program in Yangon that day was temporarily halted, he directed 16 doctors and nurses to return to the earthquake-affected area in the Sagaing Hills. At the Sitagu Ayudana Hospital, they provided medical care for the injured monks, novices, and lay practitioners. On March 31, the Abbot returned to Sagaing by car and continued coordinating earthquake relief efforts at the Sitagu Vipassana Academy.
After the earthquake in Sagaing, the abbot was unable to immediately descend to the ground due to his physical condition, but his disciples, the abbots of the Sitagu Buddha University, are reportedly working with Sayadaw Ashin Chekinda on the Sagaing Hill range to carry out search and rescue operations.
The Sitagu Missionary Group has donated 5 million to the Moekya Mosque in Sagaing, where 69 Muslims died, and 300 bags of rice, oil, salt, and vegetables donated by a donor family from Mandalay to earthquake-affected schools and displaced people near Sitagu. Drinking water from the Sitagu water purifier is being donated to those in need of clean water in Sagaing. Food donations have been made for the nuns who are staying at the Sitagu Vipassana Academy. Furthermore, donations have been made to the patients at the Sagaing General Hospital who are receiving medical treatment for severe injuries, including the loss of limbs, caused by the earthquake.

Source : NP News

An earthquake with a magnitude of approximately 6.9 just hit Myanmar at around 12:53 pm today.

The epicenter with 12 km from Sagaing initially determined. Affected countries reportedly involve Bangladesh, India, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, and Yunnan of China.

Source : Np News

CHINA Cultural Centre located in Ahlon Township, Yangon Region, will play Chinese movies every Saturday for free.
The China Cultural Centre (Yangon) selected 10 blockbuster Chinese movies for the Weekend movie programme. It is playing one movie on Saturdays for free.
Anyone can enjoy them by presenting a national citizenship scrutiny card. It will offer a cosy and relaxing experience for movie-goers. Those interested can also explore movie arts. “Screen-off day of the Weekend movie programme will be announced. If there is any event on the same schedule at the centre, the public will be informed of it.
The seats are first come, first served system.
China is a dominant force in the global filming industry, showing a rapid growth as a cinematic powerhouse and reshaping the industry, with increasing influence and a growing number of Chinese films gaining international recognition, the films are a box-office hit.
“Chinese films grew significantly in recent years,” Imax’s CEO Richard Gelfond addressed.
Total box office revenue has amounted to US$2.22 billion (15 billion yuan) as of 9 February from the Spring Festival this year. China’s box office set a historic record with the films released during the Spring Festival, according to Science and Technology Daily. — ASH/KK

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

A beach clean-up campaign took place from 7 am to 9 am yesterday in Ngwehsaung, Pathein District, Ayeyawady Region. The campaign was a joint effort between local departments, the Myanmar Underwater Federation and the Myanmar Dive Centre. The clean-up covered the stretch of beach in Ward 3, near Chithumya Island.
A representative from the Myanmar Underwater Federation spoke about the importance of ongoing efforts to preserve the coastal environment. The goal is to keep the beaches clean, protect the marine ecosystem and ensure sustainable tourism. The clean-up event, now in its sixth year, helps maintain a pollution-free beach for tourists to enjoy a peaceful and clean environment.
Participants took group photos to mark the success of the campaign.
Around 120 people including members from the city administration, local committees, hotel staff, the Myanmar Police Force and volunteers from the Myanmar Underwater Federation and Myanmar Dive Centre participated in the clean-up. They collected plastic waste, coconut husks and other debris from the beach. — Ngwehsaung IPRD/KZL

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

YOUNG singers Hlwan Paing and G Fatt will host a Pre-Water Festival in Judson at Judson Entertainment Bar in Mingala Taungnyunt Township, Yangon Region, according to singer Hlwan Paing.
The concert will take place on 29 and 30 March at Judson’s Indoor & Outdoor Area and will be held in the festive spirit of Thingyan, Myanmar’s traditional water festival.
“The event will run for two days. On Day 1, G Fatt will perform, while on Day 2, I will be there for the entire day. The venue will be fully equipped with a water system, allowing attendees to immerse themselves in the full Thingyan experience. This Pre-Thingyan Day Event will recreate the festive atmosphere of the actual water festival, so we invite everyone to come, enjoy the water play, and listen to music,” said Hlwan Paing.
The Pre-Water Festival in Judson will feature performances by Hlwan Paing and G Fatt, supported by the Judson Band, alongside DJs and renowned dancers. — ASH/MKKS

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Urgent action needed for river conservation

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing underlined that regional governments and administrative bodies need to restrict activities of environmental impacts along both sides of rivers and creeks.
Chairman of the National Water Resources Committee Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered a speech at the ceremony to mark World Water Day at MICC II in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.
Speaking on the occasion, the Senior General said that although Myanmar does not have significant glaciers, the glaciers which originate on the Khakaborazi mountain range and Tibet Plateau partially supply water to the Ayeyawady River in Myanmar. He recounted that experts estimated Kachin State would face a 2.5 degrees centigrade rise in 2100 due to global warming, indicating total loss of glaciers as a threat posed to Myanmar’s future freshwater sources.
He retold that Myanmar suffered impacts of climate change with flash floods in the monsoon of 2024, mostly in Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory, Kachin State, Mandalay, Yangon and Ayeyawady regions and Shan State.
As such, he continued that it is necessary to follow Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) adopted by the United Nations.
The Senior General added that a water resources exploration body was formed on 7 March 2022 to measure the current rate of water in the Ayeyawady, Chindwin, Sittoung and Thanlwin rivers and observe water courses and volume of water. Such a body submits reports on the progress of water resources to the Union government.

Currently, he noted that sandbanks in the Ayeyawady and Chindwin rivers become barriers in waterway transport. The conservation of river courses is in a critical state and needs to be addressed urgently. He stressed that regional governments and administrative bodies need to restrict activities with environmental impacts along both sides of rivers and creeks.
The Senior General underscored that water management is important to ensure water security in the future by raising public awareness of good water management practices and good water utilization practices. He highlighted that this year’s World Water Day theme, “Glaciers Preservation,” emphasizes the importance of ensuring long-term water abundance and reducing water-related natural disasters in Myanmar. To achieve this, it is necessary to collaborate among relevant departments and organizations, leverage advancing technologies, and engage public participation to maintain and conserve our water resources.
He instructed that efforts should be made to strategically manage and sustainably utilize existing freshwater resources. Universities and research centres have to continue studies and awareness initiatives that promote the water sector. To secure future water sufficiency for the nation, individuals have to enhance water management systems using advanced techniques and improve the sector through persistent efforts.
To support the country’s freshwater sources, the Senior General continued to say that it is necessary to take action to ensure the long-term sustainability of existing glaciers and ice-capped mountains. All citizens must work together in the water management sector to establish a systematic, equitable, and sustainable use of water resources, benefiting both present and future generations.
The Senior General presented first, second and third prizes to winners in the open article contest to mark World Water Day 2025.
Vice-Chairman of the National Water Resouces Committee Deputy Prime Minister Union Minister for Transport and Communications General Mya Tun Oo gave prizes to winners in the amateur-level article contest.
The Senior General and attendees watched a documentary video on World Water Day 2025.
The Senior General visited the photo gallery at relevant booths in honouring the World Water Day 2025. Also, present at the ceremony were Council Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, council members, Union ministers, the Nay Pyi Taw Council chairman, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the Nay Pyi Taw Command commander and deputy ministers together with chief ministers of regions and states through videoconferencing. — MNA/TTA

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

It is imperative to fight fake news, develop the art of propagating via media and counter efforts to exert foreign influence.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing noted that it is necessary to emphasize more flexible and good adaptation in the age of a multipolar world to be able to conduct diplomatic relations through the use of practical approaches.
The opening ceremony of the Challenges and the Opportunities Myanmar Will Have in the Multipolar World Beyond 2025 took place at the Myanmar International Convention Centre I in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning, with an address by Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Foreign experts were introduced individually. The forum was opened with the song and dance of artistes from the Fine Arts Department. Attendees watched a video clip on Myanmar and new landscapes in 2025.
Speaking on the occasion, the Senior General said: The world has undergone a paradigm shift to a multipolar world order. Just as we are witnessing the changes in the patterns by which the superpowers exert their influence on international relations, we are also beholding the increasingly important role of the regional blocs. In other words, the paradigm has been shifted from globalization to regionalization.
Previously, the world was dominated by only one superpower but now the pattern has been shifted from solitary dominance to collective leadership of many nations and blocs. This is what we now know as the multipolar world order. Nations such as China, India and Russia and a bloc like the European Union have developed by leaps and bounds and they are challenging the domination of the world by the superpowers.
Nowadays, the power is diverging to many nations and certain regional blocs, thereby striking a proper balance between and among the nations, depriving the world of power imbalance. At the same time, the influential nations are bent more on struggling to exert influence than on resolution of the international issues.
Under the multipolar world order, nations will be required to adapt themselves to suit the new geopolitical and geoeconomic conditions. To be able to fit into the transformational process comfortably and conveniently, the nations are required to make preparations and formulate the proper strategy.

In the first place, the strategic autonomy is needed. It is essential for the nations to avoid depending too much upon an individual superpower, extending the relations with the friend nations. Then only, decision-making will be flexible and the unnecessary pressures can be resisted with the synergic forces of the friends. The term friends refers not only to the nations but also to the regional blocs.
In extending relations with friends, it is essential to formulate arrangements that will develop sustainably. The ties shall be further strengthened in economic, security and technological fields. Concerning economic relations in particular, we all need to adapt ourselves to suit the changing situations in the new world order.
Plus, we must reduce overdependence on one market only. It is necessary to extend the trade relations to diversified regions. To be able to mitigate the losses that can arise from the global disruption, the regional economic integration is indispensable. Participation is imperative to strengthen the regional supply chains. To ensure the safety of the national interests, emphasis is to be laid upon investments in such major sectors as food, energy and technology.
And what is more, technology and digital sovereignty are also the two sectors which are worth investing in. Technology has become a fundamental sector in the competition of the multipolar world order. Such particular technologies as Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductors and cybersecurity are the determining technologies. This being so, it is indispensable to keep strategic technological partners to cooperate in such sectors as artificial intelligence and the digital economy.
We ought to be more flexible and good at adaptation in the age of a multipolar world to be able to conduct diplomatic relations through the use of practical approaches.
Another sector which is worth considering seriously is energy and resource security. Exploration and exploitation of energy, water and rare metals have become vitally important to sustainable stability. We must therefore make investments in renewable energy, nuclear and other energy sectors. Arrangements are to be made to ensure a sufficient supply of rare metals and food security which can be disrupted by geopolitical causes.
Concerning the sociocultural sector, internal stability has become important as the power dynamic is shifting fast in the age of a multipolar world. It is imperative to fight fake news, develop the art of propagating via media and counter efforts to exert foreign influence. With the swift changes in the global economy, we have to invest in human resources to go along with the tide to survive. I would like to point out that the workforce needs to be properly educated and trained.
This forum will involve discussions and suggestions by seasoned experts from China, India, Russia, Thailand, Nepal, Japan and Italy, and so, this forum will contribute a lot towards turning Myanmar into a modern, developed nation beyond 2025. Your experts are expected to provide guidance, ways of showing and strategies for Myanmar.
And the international experts will witness the real situation while in Myanmar. I hope you will witness the true image of our country which is totally different from the distorted images through the use of fake and false news and views.
The Senior General expressed his recognition and appreciation to the Ministry of Information and the “Myanmar Narrative Think Tank” for their timely efforts in organizing this important discussion.
He said he wished for Myanmar to be connected with the international community while accurately representing its true image and fostering stronger friendships and mutual understanding.
The Senior General continued his discussions, saying that Myanmar and its neighbouring countries have a population of nearly four billion, accounting for approximately 50 per cent of the world’s population. This presents a strong market for exporting the country’s goods. Therefore, it is essential to effectively utilize the available resources within the country and strive to maximize their inherent value.
The armed conflict remains like an inextinguishable fire, not due to internal affairs alone but because of foreign encouragement and interference. As a result, Myanmar, despite having many opportunities, has lagged in development. These challenges can be transformed into opportunities and advantages, which ultimately contribute to fostering a love for our country, nurturing the Myanmar spirit, and building unity and strength. Without unity, no economic system can succeed, and no political system can firmly lead the nation.

Only when stability and peace are maintained will foreign investments flow into the country. It is necessary to provide guarantees for investment activities. This, in turn, will lead to the growth of the country’s GDP and the overall development of the economy. He said he is striving to continue advancing a multiparty democratic system that aligns with the will of the people and the country’s foundations. Moreover, the legitimate demands of ethnic groups are addressed in accordance with the law.
The Senior General presented medals to mark the forum to foreign experts and scholars.
Experts in geopolitics and geoeconomics from China, Russia, India, Japan, Thailand, Italy, and Nepal, along with local experts, participated in discussions on three topics “The Role of Myanmar and Asia in a Changing Geopolitical World”, “Geoeconomic Challenges and Promising Opportunities Myanmar will face beyond 2025”, and “Geopolitical Challenges and Promising Opportunities for Myanmar Beyond 2025”.
The opening ceremony of the forum was also attended by Council Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, council members, Union ministers, union-level dignitaries, Ambassadors of foreign embassies to Myanmar and officials, the Nay Pyi Taw Council chairman, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief and deputy ministers.
The discussion forum was reportedly held to inform the world about Myanmar’s actual situation amid political transitions, fostering understanding and cooperation with Myanmar through empathy, countering false accusations to enhance the country’s image and preparing for the challenges and opportunities that may arise in the evolving multipolar world beyond 2025. — MNA/TTA

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar