Writer's Passion Links China, Myanmar

By Wang Fengjuan

Writer's Passion Links China, Myanmar

By Wang Fengjuan

Newly launched bilingual book embodies the enduring friendship between two civilizations

Min Thu Wun's Affinity with China

A compilaton of Myanmar poet, writer and scholar Min Thu Wun’s personal works and translations of Chinese poetry

Publisher

China Foreign Languages Press

Release date

April 2017

Languages

Myanmar language & Chinese

"I hope that my father's work can play a positive role in promoting cultural exchanges between China and Myanmar, two countries that share geographical proximity and cultural affinities," Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw said at the launch ceremony for Min Thu Wun's Affinity with China held at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on April 9, 2017.

U Htin Kyaw noted that it’s a great pleasure to attend the ceremony with his wife Su Su Lwin to unveil the bilingual book during his first visit to China since becoming Myanmar's leader in 2016.

Cultural Extravaganza

Min Thu Wun, father of President U Htin Kyaw, was a renowned poet and literature critic in his country. The bilingual book Min Thu Wun's Affinity with China, in both Chinese and Myanmar languages, is a collection of Min Thu Wun's translations of Chinese poetry and literature as well as his own works. Its launch laid a new cornerstone for Sino-Myanmar cultural exchanges.

The book launch was hosted by China International Publishing Group (CIPG) and organized by China Report ASEAN. Chen Shi, deputy editor-in-chief of CIPG and president of China Report Press (CRP), presided over the ceremony. More than 70 guests from government departments, press, media and academia of both countries attended the event.

While addressing the ceremony, Guo Weimin, vice minister of China’s State Council Information Office, said the book is a testament to not only Min Thu Wun’s thorough understanding of Chinese culture, but also the deep roots of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

“The president's visit to China and attendance at the book launch continues to write a new chapter of the cultural and people-topeople exchanges between the two countries,” Guo added.“China and Myanmar are friendly neighbors sharing deep and profound traditional 'Paukphaw' [fraternal] friendship, which will remain strong and grow further.”

Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw attends the launch ceremony for Min Thu Wun's Affinity with China with his wife Su Su Lwin.

Wu Shangzhi, vice minister of the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, stressed that closer publication cooperation between China and Myanmar has yielded remarkable fruits in the new century, and that increasing bilateral cooperation in book publication will further consolidate bonds and friendship between the two peoples.

CIPG Vice President Lu Cairong expressed his appreciation for Min Thu Wun and his book. “With his delicate words, Min Thu Wun has built a bridge of communication between our two peoples, connecting our hearts and souls,” he said. “In terms of promoting bilateral friendly exchanges, he is a paragon for the literary scholars of both countries.”

Lu added that the book launch ceremony was a mark of the friendship between people of China and Myanmar, a token of respect to Min Thu Wun and a wish for further cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Edited and published by Foreign Languages Press (FLP) under CIPG, Min Thu Wun's Affinity with China collects the luminary’s translations of classical and modern Chinese poems, folk stories and comic dialogues, as well as his articles on modern Chinese development, as witnessed during his visits to China in the1950's and 60's, which enjoyed great popularity in both countries.

CRP President Chen Shi, who headed the organizing of the launch ceremony, said that thanks to the joint efforts by the two countries, the successful compilation and publication of the bilingual book can be considered a special gift celebrating President U Htin Kyaw’s first visit to China.

One Book, Two Countries

As a “bridge of literature”, the book not only provides a picture of Chinese works in various forms, but also opens a window for Chinese readers to understand Myanmar.

President U Htin Kyaw said that his father felt a great attachment to Chinese culture and translated a myriad of outstanding Chinese literary works, which share common ground with Myanmar literature. He revealed that he once attempted to learn Chinese, but the language proved "so difficult to pronounce that my tongue could not move freely."

The book is largely devoted to introducing Lu Xun (pen name of Zhou Shuren, 1881-1936), a great Chinese writer of the early 20th century, and his magnum opus. Using sardonic and sharp words, Lu Xun broadened the horizons of the Chinese people under the oppression of feudalism and imperialism. Similarly, his contemporary counterpart in Myanmar, Thakin Kodaw Hmaing (1876-1964), also looked to literature to enlighten the public and fight against the colonial regime. Mr. Min Thu Wun lavished his literary skills on praising Lu Xun’s spiritual profundity and honorable personality, which have been deeply imprinted in the minds of Myanmar readers.

A talented poet, Min Thu Wun translated many verses by Chinese poets, including Bai Juyi (772-846) of the Tang Dynasty and former Foreign Minister Chen Yi (1901-1972). Despite the different languages, poets of the two countries have maintained a bond through verses.

Due to his fondness for children, Min Thu Wun also translated numerous works of children’s literature, of which several popular Chinese folktales such as “Magic Pen Ma Liang”, “The River Snail Maiden” and “Legend of the White Snake” were included in the book.

Also found in the book are Min Thu Wun’s famous writings on traditional Myanmar culture, such as “Myanmar Culture and Knowledge”, “Traditional Manners of Myanmar” and “Our Village”.

In the book’s prelude, Maung Khin Min-Danubyu, a recipient of the Myanmar National Literature Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award, former dean of the Myanmar Department at the University of Yangon and member of the Myanmar Language Commission, described Myanmar and China as intimate brothers for centuries and stated that the two countries’joint efforts in publishing Min Thu Wun’s works will further improve bilateral cultural communication.

The compilation, translation and publication of the book, which also entertains readers with a plethora of precious photos and illustrations by famous Myanmar artists, was a result of two months of efficient, hard work by FLP and CRP under the coordination of CIPG. The project also received great support and assistance from Min Thu Wun Foundation, the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar and China Radio International (CRI).

Li Mou, a professor ofMyanmar language and literature at Peking University, deserves particular credit for his significant contribution to the final editing of the book. As a student of Min Thu Wun, Li had his tutor’s poems “Her Happiness” and “My Dear Girl” translated into Chinese. Featuring beautiful rhymes, vivid words and elegant approaches, both poems embody the poet’s deep love for his country. Despite being in his 80's, Li showed up at the book launch ceremony and shared his views with President U Htin Kyaw in Myanmar language.

Lu Cairong, vice president of China International Publishing Group, presents a copy of China Report ASEAN to Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw.

Xu Minxia, who served as interpreter at the ceremony, also visited Mr. Min Thu Wun in Myanmar, as evidenced by a photo which she brought to the scene for an autograph by the president.

At the ceremony, President U Htin Kyaw and his wife took the stage to unveil the book —an exciting moment witnessed by distinguished guests from both countries, including Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Hong Liang, Myanmar Ambassador to China U Thit Linn Ohn, Minister for the Office of the State Counsellor of Myanmar U Kyaw Tint Swe, Myanmar Minister of Commerce U Than Myint, Minister of Construction U Win Khaing, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs U Kyaw Tin, Chairman of Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone Management Committee Dr. Soe Win and CRI Deputy Editor-in-Chief Li Ping.

Afterwards, the president autographed the title page of the first unpacked book which is of special significance to Sino-Myanmar cultural exchanges and will be collected as a valuable testament to achievements in co-publication between the two countries.

The book’s publisher, CIPG, is the oldest and largest international communication agency in China. It annually produces around 5,000 books in more than 40 languages and various periodicals in nearly 30 languages, while running websites in 30-plus languages, with a readership covering 180 countries and regions around the world.

At the beginning of 2016, CIPG launched a new English-language monthly, China Report ASEAN, as the flagship product of a multimedia communication platform which also involves websites and social media channels both at home and abroad, focusing on friendly cooperation and common development between China and ASEAN countries. Over the past year or so, China Report ASEAN has played an active role in the fields of international communication, media cooperation and cultural exchanges.

MIN THU WUN (1909-2004), born U Wun, was a well-known Myanmar poet, translator, linguist, literary critic and recipient of the Myanmar National Literature Award. After graduating from Rangoon College (later the University of Yangon) with a master’s degree, he went to Britain to study at Oxford University, specializing in Pali, Sanskrit, Tibetan and general linguistics. There, he earned a bachelor’s degree in literature. Later, he served as a visiting scholar at the University of London in Britain and then at Yale University in the United States. He served as chairman of the Myanmar College Textbook Publication and Distribution Committee, chairman of the Burma Research Society, a member of the National History Committee of Myanmar, a member of the Translators Association of Myanmar, dean of the Burmese Department at the University of Yangon, president of the publishing house of the University of Yangon and guest professor at the Osaka University of Foreign Studies in Japan. With high-level proficiency in Myanmer language, English and Pali, he served as the editor-inchief of theBurmese Dictionary for University and College Students, and participated in the revision of thePali-Burmese Dictionary. The prolific writer composed many poems, novels, translated versions and literary reviews, enjoying a sterling reputation in Myanmar’s literary circles.

A great contributor to the promotion of cultural exchanges and friendly ties between China and Myanmar, Min Thu Wun translated a number of excellent Chinese literary works into Myanmar language, including those by Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi, modern literary giant Lu Xun and poet-diplomat Chen Yi. In 1957 and 1961, respectively, he headed Myanmar cultural delegations on visits to China.

Min Thu Wun and his wife had two sons and one daughter. His second son, U Htin Kyaw, is the incumbent president of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.