2026 Chinese New Year Festival Celebrated in Yangon: Year Of The Horse

The 2026 Chinese New Year Festival, marking the Year of the Horse, was officially convened on the evening of February 14th at the National Indoor Stadium (1), Thuwunna, in Yangon, Myanmar. The ceremony was graced by the Vice-Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services, Vice-Senior General Soe Win, who attended as the guest of honor accompanied by his wife, Daw Than Than Nwe.

This high-level event saw the attendance of Union Minister for Defence General Maung Maung Aye, Union Minister for Electric Power U Nyan Tun, Lt-Gen Ko Ko Oo from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief (Army), Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein, and Yangon Region Commander Major General Pyae Sone Lin. They were joined by the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Myanmar, Ms. Ma Jia, along with officials from the Chinese New Year Festival Organizing Committee and various invited guests, including some ambassadors from foreign embassies based in Yangon.

The proceedings began with a warm welcome for Vice-Senior General Soe Win, his wife, and Chinese Ambassador Ms. Ma Jia, all of whom were presented with bouquets upon arrival. Following a ceremonial ribbon-cutting to open the grand archway, the dignitaries were greeted by a traditional performance of eight lions and presented with commemorative Chinese New Year scarves. Six women in traditional fairy costumes led the procession over a ceremonial bridge to the auspicious drum, initiating the opening ritual. A diverse array of cultural performers, including dragon and lion dance teams, wushu athletes, stilt walkers, and marching bands, greeted the guests from their designated positions. To officially launch the festival, Vice-Senior General Soe Win and Chinese Ambassador Ms. Ma Jia struck the ceremonial drum three times in unison.

Spiritual blessings were offered by the Chairman of the Chinese Buddhist Sangha Association (Myanmar) and the Sayadaw of Kwan Yin Temple, accompanied by ten monks. During this segment, Vice-Senior General Soe Win and his wife offered fruit donations and received a religious New Year commemorative gift. Respects were also paid by representatives from twenty four Chinese associations in Yangon, regional groups from Upper and Lower Myanmar, and sixteen Chinese provincial business groups, all of whom presented traditional gifts to the Vice-Senior General and the Chinese Ambassador.

The celebration continued with a gala dinner where Vice-Senior General Soe Win and the Chinese Ambassador performed the traditional “eye-dotting” ceremony to awaken the auspicious lion. Subsequently, Vice-Senior General Soe Win and Chinese Ambassador Ms. Ma Jia gave their respective speeches.

In a formal address, Vice-Senior General Soe Win emphasized that Myanmar places great importance on China’s peaceful development and mutually beneficial cooperation. He noted that, with China’s assistance, Myanmar is implementing vital projects for socio-economic growth, specifically in the sectors of education, health, electricity, agriculture, and infrastructure. He expressed his firm belief that the Year of the Horse—a symbol of success—would bring greater progress for the people of both nations, noting that 2026 would serve as a milestone for expanding cooperation based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

Chinese Ambassador Ms. Ma Jia also delivered remarks, characterizing 2025 as a landmark year for bilateral relations. She stated that under the guidance of both nations’ leaders, economic cooperation reached new heights, with bilateral trade volume increasing by 19 percent. She noted that Chinese investment in Myanmar increased significantly over the past year, generating tangible benefits for both peoples. The Ambassador further highlighted that China remains Myanmar’s largest source of tourism, with over 250,000 visitors in the previous year. She praised the “Pauk-Phaw” friendship, citing the mutual assistance provided during the Mandalay earthquake as a testament to the unity of the China-Myanmar community with a shared future.

The evening featured cultural entertainment from both Chinese and Myanmar troupes, as well as the presentation of prizes to athletes from the 2026 Chinese New Year commemorative basketball tournament. After exchanging commemorative gifts and flower baskets, the ceremony concluded with a joint performance of the song “Let Every Flower Bloom,” featuring a harmonious blend of Myanmar and Chinese musical instruments.