(10 January 2026)
Esteemed national brethren and people in Kachin State,
I extended heartfelt greetings with best wishes to all state residents and all Kachin ethnic people for the fulfilment of both mental and physical well-being, good health and prosperity, and the realization of all beneficial hopes and aspirations on the auspicious occasion of the 78th anniversary of Kachin State, which falls today, 10 January.
All ethnic nationalities born of the Union and residing in Myanmar have long lived in close bonds of kinship, mutual affection, and respect. For many centuries, they have existed in an independent and sovereign nation, governing themselves on their own land and waters, under their own authority and institutions. However, due to the armed oppression of foreign countries, independence was lost, and the country fell into colonial subjugation. Thereafter, all ethnic nationalities without distinction between hills and plains, states and regions stood united with a strong spirit of Union, and were able to regain the independence of the nation.
It was a fine historical evidence for the state and the country that patriotic heroes, including leaders and Kachin ethnic people from Kachin State, sacrificed life, blood and sweat for the sake of the nation and the national people in the independence struggle. As a gesture of honouring the formation of the Kachin State government at the first-ever meeting of the Kachin State Council Conference held on 10 January 1948, the day of 10 January was designated as the Kachin State Day. It has been held annually, and this year’s occasion turns 78.
Kachin State is endowed with a variety of beautiful eco-systems in different parts of the state, which possess snow-capped mountains, namely Khakaborazi, Ganlanrazi, Phonkanrazi and Madwerazi in the northern part of the state, geologically significant situations in the Hukaung Plain, as well as being rich in precious natural resources.
The high and steep mountain ranges and the lush and green forests, along with the emergence of the stable and beautiful Ayeyawady River, which originates at the confluence of the Makha and Malikha rivers, are the diverse beauties of Kachin State. Kachin State is home to Kachin tribes such as Jingphaw, Lachid, Lawwaw, Lisu, Rawam, Zaiwah, etc. Moreover, some Shan ethnic groups and other ethnics including the Bamar ethnic, are living in the state together.
The Manaw festival held at the ceremony to mark the Kachin State Day showcases a fine tradition which portrays adoration of the national prestige and integrity, and preserving cultural customs and fine traditional heritage of ethnicities in Kachin State. The Manaw dance with collective efforts is a symbol which dedicates to peace and prosperity across the state as well as the Union and indicates the unity of people from the state. It is a meaningful, traditional cultural festival to ensure the further strengthening of peace and prosperity in the state.
Moreover, Kachin State is a major state endowed with valuable mineral wealth, natural resources, and abundant natural assets. Owing to its favourable water conditions, fertile land, and suitable climate, crops are being cultivated successfully and continue to develop and thrive. Likewise, the scenic beauty of the Ayeyawady River, which is a symbol of unity together with the state’s lush greenery and rich natural vitality, also constitutes a distinctive characteristic of the state.
As Kachin State is a developed state with favourable water and land conditions, all ethnic brothers and sisters within the state must unite their spirit and strength and work together in harmony to ensure peace and stability in the state, to improve the socio-economic lives of state residents, and to expand employment opportunities.
Esteemed national brethren,
The government took the State responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution as part of preventing possible dangers triggered by voting fraud in the 2020 general elections. After that, the government has been focusing on serving the interests of the entire ethnic group. As such, all people, including Kachin ethnics, have to cooperate with the government in firmly implementing the multi-party democratic path that the entire people aspire to.
It is necessary to resolve the political problems stably and politically.
Everyone has to consider and review that attacks and impossible remands of each ethnic region with arms which do not benefit the country are terrorist activities against the democratic way, and these make troubles to themselves. I would like to note that now is the time for all to strive for ending the armed conflicts in relevant regions as well as ensuring tranquillity, stability, and durable peace.
Moreover, the number of ethnic Hluttaw representatives at the political platform must hold discussions under the law for the sake of strengthening the multi-party democratic system and the interests of the region and ethnics. So, I would like to urge the entire ethnic people to join hands with the government, Tatmadaw and public service personnel to build a Union based on democracy and a federal system in accord with the aspirations of the ethnic people.
Moreover, the country has to enjoy peace and stability and needs to be free from armed conflicts and terrorist acts for national development. Only when the country is peaceful and stable will it march forward with development initiatives. As such, I would like to urge that now is the time for armed groups and terrorist groups in the state to emphasize the efforts to cease fighting and violent acts as part of serving the interests of the state and residents.
At present, the National Defence and Security Council is striving for the implementation of education and healthcare for the people, with the enhancement of their economy, as well as building a multiparty democratic Union by adopting the objectives. The objectives “To steadfastly strive for the emergence of political forces and the people’s representatives who can implement a genuine, disciplined multi-party democratic system while constantly emphasizing on the national interests of the State” and “To implement multi-party democratic system, with the participation of the people, to ensure the success of multiparty democratic general election process and successfully moving towards with the multi-party democratic system aspired by the entire people” are being implemented, and everyone knows that the multiparty democratic general election phase I was held successfully. Furthermore, the phases II and III will be held to transfer the State responsibilities being taken by the current government to the forthcoming government, which will emerge from the election. The foundation of democracy is the election. So, I would like to deeply urge all ethnic people to cooperate in successfully holding the election and building a multi-party democratic Union.
In Kachin State, the flow of illegal commodities, cross-border crimes and drug trafficking in border areas adjacent to other countries are activities against the law, tarnishing the image of the state and defaming its integrity. I would like to urge departmental officials, ethnic leaders and the entire people to combat these illegal activities as part of initiating the enforcement of the law.
Esteemed Kachin ethnic people,
Kachin State is blessed with favourable climatic conditions and geographical conditions, supporting the development of agriculture and livestock activities. Efforts must be exerted to boost agricultural products and produce value-added finished products based on agricultural produce through industrial technologies for the development of the state. It is necessary to produce value-added products based on the domestic raw materials to fulfil the needs of the region and sell them locally and internationally. As such, ethnic people residing in the state need to strive to initiate these businesses so as to improve the socio-economic life of the people.
The National Defence and Security Council is placing emphasis on the improvement of the education and healthcare sectors to ensure sustainable development of the nation. In the education sector, I would like to urge that the new generation youths must be nurtured to have not only school education and techniques but also critical thinking, which can be applied to make correct opinions and decisions, a patriotic spirit and the keenness to preserve the prestige and integrity of the nation.
The State is encouraging the improvement of health standards for the ethnic people and providing comprehensive healthcare services to them. Likewise, as technologies, machinery for production and skilled human resources will be required in order to manufacture quality products of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises based on agriculture and livestock activities, local ethnic people have to join the work processes in harmony.
In conclusion, I send this message in honour of the 78th Anniversary of Kachin State Day with my heartfelt wishes that all ethnic people in Kachin State live in unity in building a peaceful, prosperous, overall development of the country through thick and thin. May they emphasize the national interests in implementing the political, economic and national security and defence activities. May they strive for serving the interests of the state and ethnic people with diligence, perseverance and industrious efforts in all sectors to ensure peace and development undertakings through the united strength of the ethnic national people of the state. And may the Kachin State be peaceful and prosperous.
Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu
Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing
Acting President, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Chairman, the National Defence and Security Council
