Burma’s President to visit Chin State

11 February 2013: President Thein Sein, 67, is to make an official visit to Chin State this Friday, a source close to the government said.

The former military leader of Burma is expected to arrive by helicopter in Hakha, the capital of Chin State on 15 February.

An official announcement about details of the planned visit by President Thein Sein has not been made by authorities at both state and central levels.

Chief Minister Pu Hung Ngai and other ministers of Chin State government last Tuesday returned from a trip to each township ahead of the President’s visit, according to reports from Hakha.

They held meetings with heads of township and district administrations, departmental officials, village administrators and community leaders to prepare before Thein Sein comes.

Thein Sein’s visit will be the first as the leader of the country to Chin State, sharing international borders with Bangladesh and India, with whom the government of Burma has increasingly built up its economic ties in recent months.

Last year, President Thein Sein reportedly cancelled his planned visit to Chin State amid preparations for a welcoming reception.

In March 2010, Thein Sein, then Lieutenant General and Prime Minister of Burma, made a short visit to Paletwa of Paletwa Township, Chin State as part of his trip to Rakhine State to inspect the Sai Din hydropower project.

Reporting by Thawng Zel Thang
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