Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and State Security and Peace Commission Chairman Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing sent a message to the 78th Anniversary of Chin National Day 2026. The full text of the translated message is as follows: –

Esteemed people and Chin ethnic nationalities,

I extend my heartfelt prayers and best wishes for the fulfilment of all forms of well-being and prosperity to all Chin ethnic nationalities, as well as to all national brethren born of the Union on the auspicious occasion of the 78th Anniversary of “Chin National Day”, which falls on 20 February 2026.

In the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, all national races born of the Union, including the Chin ethnic people, have for many years lived together on the same land and shared the same water, united in spirit and solidarity like members of one family. Owing to this unity and harmony, the nation has been able to stand with dignity and honour in the community of the world.

Throughout the successive stages of the nation’s independence struggle and during the period of building the State after independence, the Chin ethnic people stood shoulder to shoulder and worked hand in hand with other national races born of the Union. During the time of invasion and occupation by the British colonialists, Chin ethnic leaders such as Bo Khai Kam, Bo Con Bik, Bo Lall Lwe, and Bo Thaung Linh, together with the Chin ethnic people, bravely and resolutely resisted the imperialists alongside other national brethren.

In addition, Chin ethnic leaders such as U Thong Za Khup, recipient of the Naing-Ngan Gonyi Award First Class, U Kio Mang, Wunna Kyaw Htin U Hlur Hmong, Thiri Pyanchi U Thaung Cin Thang, Independence Mawgun Award First Class recipient, and Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu U Vammathumong, Naing-Ngan Gonyi Award First Class recipient and Thiri Pyanchi U That Ling played key roles during the struggle for independence. After independence, during periods of internal unrest, Chin leaders, including Lt-Col Hrang Thio, Lt-Col Lyan Ciin Zamg, Captain Thura Aung San Thuria Taik Chun, Colonel Zeya Kyaw Htin Van Kul, and Naing-Ngan Gonyi award First Class recipient Maj-Gen Thaung Za Khai actively and faithfully carried out their respective duties for the nation alongside their fellow Chin ethnic people.

Thus, the many heroic Chin ethnic people who devoted their lives, blood, and sweat for the stability of the State and the Union, and for the consolidation of sovereignty, and who are forever honoured by the State and Tatmadaw, remain enshrined in history as a source of pride and admiration for the Chin State and the Chin ethnic people.

In 1948, during the early post-independence period, a rally in Falam revoked the feudal administrative system and initiated the regional democratic administrative system. On that day, which fell on 20 February, was designated as “Chin National Day”, and celebrations are held yearly, and this year’s occasion is the 78th one.

At present, the ongoing violent and terror acts, lawless acts, and destructive activities within the country, including in certain areas of Chin State, pose a grave danger to the nation. It is especially necessary to remain vigilant and take protective measures against groups, both domestic and foreign, that seek to sow discord, incite hatred, and promote bloodshed among Union-born national brethren, thereby undermining the bonds of friendship and mutual respect that have been built over thousands of years, as well as to guard against the imposition of narrow, ethnocentric ideologies.

These terror acts were based on instigations with the eagerness to unlawfully seize the State power without accurately reviewing the incidents, or cancelling the results of voting frauds which happened in the 2020 general elections. Some ethnic armed organizations with incorrect attitudes over the State and the people took the advantages over the instability of the nation and committed destruction and violent attacks on the peaceful and stable areas to expand their areas and control. As such, everyone knows that innocent people from various regions, including the Chin State, face loss of lives, property and houses, as well as a large number of public-owned buildings, facing hardships.

It is the local ethnic people themselves who are directly experiencing the harmful effects of armed violence. The actual destruction and losses also extend to the nation’s resources and basic infrastructure of the State. In a context where development is gaining momentum, such reckless actions reduce the country’s strength and require enormous effort and time to restore conditions to their original state. Because of these violent incidents, the State has been providing financial assistance for civil servants and civilians who have been temporarily displaced. Therefore, all ethnic peoples, including the Chin ethnic community, are encouraged to work together to eliminate terrorist actions and attacks that harm the nation and its people, and to help achieve peace and stability.

The National Defence and Security Council has adopted and is implementing four objectives while striving to continuously create a peaceful and stable environment, intending to end the armed conflicts for the sake of the State and the people. Only when the State has an improved economy will various sectors, including politics, social affairs, education and health, develop. As such, priority must be given to grow economic infrastructure to improve the socioeconomic life of the people.

That is why it is necessary to emphasize larger quantities of agricultural produce in relevant regions and prioritize systematic livestock breeding measures appropriate for the region. I would like to urge all to beef up production of quality MME products through micro, small and medium-sized enterprises based on agricultural and livestock goods produced locally in order to ensure local food security and fulfil the local demand, in addition to increasing the volume of export products. In this regard, the State is providing necessary techniques, capital and production inputs for those businesspersons with more and more aid plans.

For the building of a Union based on democracy and a federal system that the State is striving to establish, and for the social and economic development of the people, all citizens must be healthy, resilient, and equipped with knowledge and skills. Therefore, the State is making efforts to develop all sectors, including education and healthcare, in a coordinated and comprehensive manner. Since national development can only be achieved through a knowledgeable and skilled population, the State provides free and diversified education to ensure that every citizen has the opportunity to complete at least KG+9. In addition, 89 basic education and industrial, agricultural, and livestock schools have been opened to enable those who complete KG+9 to acquire vocational and livelihood skills, thereby cultivating human resources for the nation.

Everybody knows that schools, universities and colleges have been established for the people to have access to basic and higher education. I would like to urge all to enable all school-age youth to attend schools, not to drop out of school and learn education till their goals to become experts, professionals and professors. As health is essential for all societies, like education, the State enhances healthcare services, treatment and sharing activities on health awareness. As such, everybody needs to take care of their health to be long life expectancy.

Due to the voting fraud in the 2020 general elections, the state of emergency for the nation was declared in accord with the Constitution (2008) starting from 1 February 2021, and Tatmadaw took State responsibilities temporarily. From time onward, objectives and roadmaps were implemented for the peace and stability of the Union, the rule of law, the development of economic, social, education and other sectors. Efforts are being made to cease the armed conflicts in accordance with the NCA agreements, and it should be noted that meetings and discussions have been held with ethnic armed organizations, and they have consistently been welcomed with open doors for the sake of durable peace.

The National Defence and Security Council has successfully conducted the free and fair multiparty democratic general election 2025 in three phases, achieving the State’s ultimate goal. According to the election results, Hluttaw sessions will be held in March, and the emerging government will assume the responsibilities of the State in accordance with democratic standards. Therefore, in the ongoing processes of nation-building, it is urged that the people fully participate, exercising their freedom and justice in accordance with laws and regulations, to ensure the full implementation of a genuine, well-disciplined multiparty democratic system.

Since State peace and stability and the rule of law are crucial for the country’s development and nation-building endeavours, it is earnestly urged that all ethnic peoples, including the Chin ethnic community, work hand in hand with the State government to implement the ceasefire of armed conflicts. On this 78th Anniversary of Chin National Day, with prayers for continued success, it is hoped that the Chin people, grounded in the longstanding spirit of Union unity and love for their heritage, will continue to serve the interests of Chin State as well as those of the Union as a whole.

Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu

Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing

Acting President, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar

Chairman, the State Security and Peace Commission

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