MoRAC Deputy Minister attends ceremonies of upgrading Zhou Enlai guest pavilion of Shwezigon Pagoda, renovating Thabinyu Pagoda

The opening ceremony of the upgraded Zhou Enlai guest pavilion of Shwezigon Pagoda in Bagan ancient heritage cultural zone yesterday.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture U Tun Ohn, Deputy Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations U Than Aung, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Chen Hai and other officials concerned.
During the ceremony Deputy Minister U Tun Ohn and Chinese Ambassador Mr Chen Hai respectively made remarks.
The Zhou Enlai guest pavilion at Shwezigon pagoda in NyaungU Township was constructed and donated by Chinese Prime Minister Zhou Enlai during his visit to Bagan in 1961. The 61-year Tazaung is also a sign of good China-Myanmar Pauk Phaw relations. The Chinese people mostly hold their annual ceremonies at the Zhou Enlai Tazaung.
Then, Deputy Minister U Tun Ohn attended the ceremony to start the maintenance works on the Thabinyu Pagoda and delivered the remark together with the Chinese Ambassador.
Thabinyu pagoda was one of the 389 pagodas hit by an earthquake on 24 August 2016. The government signed MoU to repair the earthquake-hit pagoda with the Chinese experts on 22 September 2018.
The Chinese experts conducted 3D Scanning processes and field study including other work plans to start the emergency renovation works before the monsoon of 2019 and the Department of Archaeology and National Museum (Bagan Branch) launched the monitoring processes.
The proper experience of Chinese experts and skilled staff of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture will keep conducting renovation works on Thabinyu pagoda in its original style. — MNA