Myanmar CMs, Chinese officials to grace Sangai fest
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 28 2013: The Manipur Sangai Festival scheduled next month would have a certain amount of international outlook and fervour as Chief Ministers of Myanmar's Saigang and Mandalay divisions and six Chinese officials have booked their tickets for the grand annual festival.

Thailand delegates have already confirmed their participation in the festival as in the preceding years.

The Chinese officials set a date with the Manipur Sangai Festival in response to Chief Minister O Ibobi's recent visit to China and his invitation for a Chinese delegation to the festival.

The State Government has been already intimated by the Foreign Affairs Department of China's Zhejiang province that a Chinese delegation would participate in the festival.

On its part, the State Government has obtained permission of the Ministry of Home Affairs for the Chinese delegation's visit to Manipur.

The gate put up during the Sangai Festival

The Chinese delegation led by vice-chairman of the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Zhejiang province Chen Jia Yuan would arrive at Imphal on November 27 and leave the State next day, informed an official source.

Other members of the delegation are CPPCC Zhejiang Provincial Committee deputy secretary general Wang Xifa, Zhejiang Provincial Tourism Bureau deputy director general Ye Jianguo, General Office of Zhejiang Director Hu Yong Huang and English interpreter of the Zhejiang Province Foreign Affairs department Fu Xiao Wen.

The CPPCC whose officials are attending the Manipur Sangai Festival is a powerful political advisory body.

The Chinese delegation would meet Chief Minister O Ibobi and talk about cooperation between Manipur Zhejiang province.

They would also visit major tourist sites of the State.

Chief Ministers of Myanmar's Saigang and Mandalay divisions would also attend the festival.

The festival would be a historical milestone if the ongoing efforts to land a Myanmarese flight at Imphal proves successful.

It is reported that the two Chief Ministers are planning to come to Imphal on the maiden flight of a Myanmar aircraft from Mandalay.

The two Chief Ministers would also take part in the North East Business Summit which would be held at Diburgarh, Assam from November 22 to 24 .

The ongoing efforts to enable Myanmar private airline Golden Myanmar land at aircraft at Tulihal Airport are going at an impressive pace.

A recent meeting between Manipur officials and officials of Golden Myanmar was quite positive, informed the official source.

Meanwhile, a team of the India-ASEAN joint working group arrived at Imphal today.

The team visited the border township of Moreh and made an assessment of the State's preparation for trans-national trade as a follow up step of the Free Trade Agreement signed between India and Thailand.

The team led by Ministry of Commerce Director RP Singh also inspected progress of the Integrated Check Post being constructed at the border township.